Unyielding

by Charmy the Undercover Wizard

I never thought I would see a world like this, where stone made up the very buildings and you couldn't see stars in the sky. I think I might of found refuge in this cold place, amongst those who share familiar faces of my brothers. But this will not stop me from going home. From going to my family. Sequel to Unbreakable

20. Breath

Chapter 20: Breathe

---

a/n

ok I'm sorry about last week TT3TT freaking life. I thought I was loosing my touch, but then I realized 'nah! you just wrote a freaking LONG chapter

LOOK AT THIS THING!

ITS HUGE!

Anyway, to thank you for being so patient, I had a experimental Un story I'm putting up. Its mostly just for me, but if you like it too then great!

Also, thanks to Sanru for helping me out with the freaking grammer! Oh but it was only for the first part of the chapter, the second half still has Charmy-o grammer mistakes my nephew could point out and go 'wrong!'

Enjoy!

---

Breath

---

The worst part of being so used to illness was that fact he knew the 'sickness' itself wasn't always the worst part. In his case, it was the constant sleep, not knowing if a day passed or 4 weeks. Not knowing what he was waking up to and not knowing if his family was ok. But it couldn't get worse than this. His eyelids spasamed as they struggled against their own weight, he could vaguely feel a thin folded cloth under his head that acted as a pillow, but it barely cushioned the rocks underneath it. The absence of the earthy smell told him they were off the ground, on a stone? No that didn't' seem right

"Donatello?"

He couldn't stop his body from shivering at the voice, before realizing the voice wasn't thick or strong like his fathers. It was marked with a strange accent and age that Master Splinter hadn't reached yet.

Oh

Don forced his eyelids open the rest of the way. The dark of the cave was heavenous upon his light deprived eyes. He could barely see his black furred uncle, wrapped in multicolored robes and white hair pulled back, but his beard hung low almost to his waist. Giving the image of someone who perhaps weren't used to the socializing. As a soft hand pressed against the side of his face to support his head, he couldn't help but sigh with relief

Grandfather

He noticed the sounds of whispers, dozens of others. Donnie raised his head up enough to see they weren't alone, many other children and women were in the cave, huddled close together. The children close to their mothers side and sitting on their laps. Lacking all energy and joy that they normally exhibited around the village.

This was a feeling he recognized

Fear

"Wh-where are we Grandfather?"

"The Mountains. The men and warriors are going to help Reddomedou Village from a Akai infestation."

Akai infestation? When Don had lived in Horyu City he had heard about Akai infestations almost everyday but to be fair he wasn't sure how many of them had been true. He did know they happened when some Akais' would get sidetracked on their way to Akai Forest and attack a village. The bloodshed would bring draw out even more Akai

It was a horrible situation.

The best thing for the villagers would be to lock themselves up and send out word for help. Don could only hope none of the villagers had gotten hurt, or worst. Bitten.

It would only make sense to send away Murakami's own villagers with a handful of 'protectors' to watch over them. It would only make sense that Lorenzo would be there due to his advanced age. That meant that Leo, Usagi, Daiki, Dorinbo and the rest of the warriors would be out

That meant Splinter was there too.

Don pulled his arms free of his 'cocoon' and pushed himself back up off the ground, he felt Lorenzo's' hands wrap around his chest and lift him up to a sitting position, "Thank you, " he whispered in a hoarse voice before glancing back around

Where was Mikey?

Everything else made sense, Lorenzo would have insisted to stay at his side, Splinter would be out to keep in contact with the samurai. But everything in him said that his little brother would be THERE to be as close to him as possible. He looked back up to Lorenzo reaching out to take his hand, fighting the urge to press his thumbs against his palm. To spare the arthritis he knew was there

"Where's Mikey Grandfather?"

Lorenzo's' normally bright blind eyes dimmed, before Don could ask again, his grandfather's arm wrap around his shoulders, drawing his weak form against his chest. The hand he held came up to rest against the side of his head, "We do not know my child."

Don all but yanked away, "What?! What do you mean?! What happened?!"

"When we arrived at the caves, he went off to gather some food from the area and, "there was a crack of his voice, the hands on the back of his head quivered in a way that almost seemed alien, and foreign to the grandfather who he had expected nothing but calm

If Lorenzo was worried

"We have people looking for him now, including your father."

Then there was a reason to be

"If anyone can find him, it's Hamoto Yoshi."

Donnie grabbed the cave wall next to him, and yanked hard, heaving himself out of his grandfather's arms to and his feet despite the cry of alarm from one of the mothers. Almost as soon as he tried to step forward his knees buckled again and sent him flying back to the hard stony ground

A pair of arms caught him around the chest, saving him from a painful fall and possibly passing out again. But the way the world spun around him, he already knew he was in danger of that as it is, "Calm down little one, "Lorenzo who knew such a old Neko could move so fast, or hold up his weight, he was all but drug back, his shell meeting the 'bed' set up for him as a hand returned to his brow

"Trust your father. He'll find your brother."

He smiled, not the smile that he was confident with. But the one he had learned as a I-sha to help patients feel more confident in the wellbeing of their loved ones. His grandfather smiled back before looking to the sack next to him and rooting around inside of it. Probably looking for his medicine. Don allowed his smile to fall before looking back to the cave entrance, he wanted to think about the other villagers hidden alongside the mountain, in other caves. They were all scared. Their loved ones fighting for their lives and the lives of another village

But Donnie couldn't let himself fall into that spiral or risk insanity. He couldn't think about Leo and Usagi's' first real battle, or the Headmen leading them who he had come to think of as his own father. Or even his Kuma-ni and mother, currently out on a bounty and would surely have a heart attack if they came home to an empty village.

Mikey

Mikey was his concern

He looked back to Lorenzo before closing his eyes. For the first time in a long time he was allowing the sleep to overtake him rather than fighting it with every inch of his being.

Donnie would need his strength for what he had planned.

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"Ok, so is this right?"

Donnie's head popped up from his resting on his arms. The 'dining room table' was covered in papers, sketches of the structural of a 'mutant turtle' and 'human' and 'rat', muscular, organs, anything he thought might be necessary for his older counterpart. After he had helped Older Don see the more important values of their differentiations. Things to notice in different types of body and take advantage of them. If certain organs failed or certain bones broke. He went over everything he could think of for the day, but he never imagined it would be so hard to keep up with someone with his own,'advantage'.

But his older self was absorbing everything he had to teach, an entire weeks' worth of knowledge swallowed up in a single day.

Now he knew why his old teachers wanted to swat him so bad.

At least why he knew why they got frustrated

He reached over and took the test back from him. Donnie's 'English' reading skills were simple enough to learn, but the language gave him a headache. His eyes flowed down the paper before smiling to Older Don and giving him a thumbs up. His older self smiled before taking the papers, shuffling them in his hands with a look Donnie didn't recognize, "I almost forgot how good it was to do well on a test."

"Test?"

"Yeah, like class. I was always ahead of my brothers so after a while Splinter just let me go off on my own, intellectually." Donatello stacked the papers up, before looking back up, "Hey why were you sleeping anyway? Are you ok?"

Concerned about himself? That was almost a level of kindness and narcissism all in itself. It didn't' help that Donnie couldn't think his older self was capable of narcissism, "I haven't been sleeping well, and I'm not much of a morning guy anyway."

"Oh really?" He didn't know why Don was smiling, maybe he was sadistic," That's something we have in common." his chair was pushed away as he stood up . Donnie laid his head back on the table as a hand rubbed his scalp. Oh he hated the sympathy, "If you weren't so young then I'd recommend my solution."

"My Kuma-ni says I need to do more pushups in the morning. I told him he needed to be more helpful."

"I can't imagine he liked that."

"He made me do pushups, "Donnie nuzzled his arms to try a get a better pillow, "But when I fell asleep in mid pushup he carried me inside so THAT was nice of him," Mornings SUCKED so bad. It wasn't like he wasn't the only one tired. The other sleep deprived turtle was currently on the couch and wore a blue mask.

Donnie wasn't sure when Leo started to get so sleepy. Maybe around the same time as him? He looked back over to the couch where a pair of green feet hung over the armrest by the ankles, "He's ok right?"

"Just tired, Leo crashes like this once a month. It's from training so much harder than anyone else in our family."

"You're not worried about him?" When he didn't get a response he lifted his head up to look back over. Donatello was standing at the counter; it looked like he had been leaning over it lightly to look at that strange metal elongated L with the screen of one of those television's. Hands braced against the edge and a smile on his face

"He's my big brother, when he found out I had asthma he stayed up for two days researching my ailment, till he fell asleep with his face in the books. I worry about him all the time, but when I show him that ,it just makes him think he's burdening us, and he works harder. The best thing I can do for him is not say anything." The older walked over to the couch, and took up the thick quilt over the back of it. Don couldn't see him when the blanket disappeared over the couch, but he knew his older self was laying it on Leo before smiling at him with a wink

"The best way to take care of Leo is to not let him know you're taking care of him."

That alone just proved how much smarter this Don was then him. How come he had never thought of that? Upon meeting his oldest brother, he had spent weeks trying to stop Leo from stressing himself out, ironically it was from trying to make Raph and himself more comfortable in their new home and situation. But every time he tried to say something, his brother would get defensive and work twice as hard as before.

Donnie hated being called a genius

Cause moments like these made him feel like a fool.

A hand rubbed his scalp lightly, drawing his attention back up to his older face, "Come on bud, you're tired. You would of realized it if you hadn't."

He wasn't THAT tired. But he nodded lightly before his face met his arms again, he could just hear his older self sit in the seat next to him, tapping away on his laptop. Don lifted his eyes enough to see a green hand lying on the table tapping away at the wood in an almost annoyed manner.

Don reached over and took the large hand, turning it over so it lay with its palm up. He wasn't' sure why he had this 'reaction'. But sometimes it just felt belter to feel someone else's hand. It wasn't as if he hadn't felt his older self's hand before. And he really didn't' mind then-

Except his older self's hand wasn't nearly as harsh as this one, actually judging by the knuckles, it was almost like this hand had spent countless hours punching things-

Uh oh

His eyes shot open and his body back up into a sitting position in time to see a emerald green red masked turtle with one hand on Donatello's laptop , one of those weird 'buds' that minimized music was held up to the side of his head while his eyes were on him. One eyebrow raised in a half amused half confused look.

Don shoved away from the table, his feet sending himself flying to his feet and half way across the room. Before his shell his something at chest level, he wasn't' sure if the cry of alarm come from him or from the Raph that currently had held his hand out as though trying to warn him about something-

Too late

Don flipped over the back of the couch, bouncing off the unwary occupant shell first and causing the sleeper to jump into a sitting position. But he was already hitting cold hard ground, before his brain could think straight, he noticed the space under the couch and tucked his arms to his chest before rolling underneath it and lying flat on his stomach arms tucked around his face if only to muffle the sound of his panicked breathing.

"Halfshell!?" Oh spirits, course he couldn't' have even HOPED that Leo had slept through that. Especially after potentially bruising his ribs. From the gap under his arm he could see someone else lay on the ground, "What's wrong?! Why are you under there?"

That wasn't too unreasonable of a question. And he wanted no more than a explanation , but he couldn't bring his head up from his arms.

It was the only way to hide his shame.

"Talk to me, please. ""

No

He couldn't

"What the hell did I ever do to deserve that!?" That was Raph. And he was definitely ticked off,

"He just got freaked out."

"What for?! He's been here for almost a month now. He's just being stupid now, HE'S the one who was messing with my freaking hand."

"It's what he DOES Raph. He probably thought it was my hand. "

"I don't care, the only bad thing I ever did to that kid was save his freaking life. If he's still has a 'conforming' problem then it's his own damn fault. I'm sick of taking the blame for his own stupidity."

Don's arms curled tighter around his face, pressings his biceps against the side of his head in a desperate attempt to block out that voice. Worse than the voice of Master Splinter, worse than the voice for that giant pig-skinned human that smelled like a monkey's for some strange reason

Worse than the voice trying to convince him that his own Kuma-ni was the one doing the screaming

"ENOUGH."

The arguing in the Main room ceased immediately with the sound of something wooden slamming against the floor, Don had thought that only Master Splinter and his other 'parental roles' could make the room seize up like that. But a lift of his head and seeing Leos' bent knee from under the couch told him there was one other creature in this world who held just as much authority'

And his name was Leonardo

"If you're going to complain like a child DO IT in the other room or keep your comments to yourself."

An angry growl gave his response, with a scraping of foot turning on heel as a door slammed. Wasn't that the door to the garage? The door opened and closed for a second time that was probably Donatello going to help Raphael calm down.

Silence filled the room, but to be fair his hearing was all but obscured by his deep panicked breaths. He had no doubt that Leonardo was still there either. It was bad enough he had freaked out at someone who looked exactly like his best friend. A part of him desperately wanted to regain some pride, but he knew it was long gone at this point.

A hand pressed its way through his folded arms, till it folded over the one he had folded under his chin. Donnie sandwiched the hand between his, lowering his hand to rest on it. Eyes squeezed shut. He could feel Leo's free hand run down the side of his face lightly, "There you go Halfshell, don't' you feel better?"

Honestly wanted to nod but he found himself shaking his head. He felt a hand wrap around his bicep and pull lightly. A small tug of encouragement, at first Don honestly wanted to slap his hand away and remain hidden in the darkness with his shame and embarrassment. But gentle coaxing words made him sigh before rolling, escaping the world 'under the couch'. Leo's arm pulled him into a sitting position so his shell was resting against the seat of the couch.

He wanted to say he felt less embarrassed but honestly the fact that Leo was now running his fingers over his scalp only added to the flame of humiliation.

"What happened buddy?"

"I don't know." Don's fingers squeezed tighter around Leo's hand lowering his head back down to rest against them , his cheek lowering back to rest against Leo's knuckles, "I-I'm fine."

"Come on, don't lie, I'm the only one here with you. Raph and Donnie are in the garage. You told me the that you have a complicated relationship with your Master Splinter. But you're always bragging about your 'Kuma-ni'. I didn't think you'd freak out so bad around him."

Donnie squeezed his eyes shut before leaning his head back over to his hand, course he wanted an explanation. Who wouldn't?

What other explanation was there other than him being a Spirit Dammed Fool.

"Do you want me to tell you what happened?"

Please don't. He wanted the foolishness to end. He wanted it all to stop; even so he pulled his face away from Leo's hand, leaning it back over to his shoulder. Leo's arm wrapped around him and hugged him to his side, " I think you miss your big brother, and it's hard to be around someone who looks so much like him."

Stupid Leo, stupid smart Leo. Donnie looked up to glance at his companion; he almost hated that kind smile. He wanted to at least. But he looked back down to the hand he had mercilessly been rubbing his thumbs against since their conversation started. Despite their strength difference, he knew that after a while it had to be painful to have something press against his palms so intensely.

The arm around him squeezed him tighter; Don released his hand and leaned his head back over to rest against his shoulder.

Don also knew this Leo was the only reason he hadn't lost his mind. That was something he couldn't bear to go through again.

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"What the hell did I ever do to that kid?! You'd think I ran over his bike and stole his god dam lollipop or SOMETHING."

"He doesn't 'have a bike, and he's too old to be eating lollipops." Don could tell from that glare that his joke didn't help. His amber eyes blazing like flames as his hands braced on Don's desk.

"It's not funny, he was the one messing with my freaking hand like some brain dead idiot, and I'm the bad guy for LETTTING him then smiling at him." A giant laugh filled the air before his desk hit the back wall with a shove, "DAMN IT."

Donnie glanced back to the door to ensure Leo wasn't coming in for a shouting contest. But he seemed too occupied with taking care of Mini-him.

He had to be careful

Last thing he needed was to enrage Raph

"Do you know what an I.Q is?"

Raph turned from the table, frowning, "Why hell wouldn't I? Are you saying I don't 'have one?!"

"No. But you know it is the measurement of intelligence. And in the same way, an E.Q is the emotional equivalent of it. It measures the emotional intelligence of a person." he probably deserved that weird look Raph was giving him, as though trying to decide whether or not to do anything, he came closer, taking the chair the rolley chair to his left and shoved it forward before taking his own.

Something he had desperately wanted someone to do for him

"People with high I.Q's are gifted, that's given. In whatever way it shows. But there's an 'emotional' part of it. A lack of ability to 'translate' the world or people around him. It's why he had no friends growing up and why his best friend-" he paused, he didn't want to say anything to upset his big brother, "Was so determined to protect him. It's why he's had such a hard time connecting and settling in here. Leo might not realize it, but its Leo wants to stick to him so bad. I didn't really even notice it until Mini-me was sick, remember?" Man he wanted something to drink he didn't even have a chance to have coffee yet," Leo was sitting with him because he thought little Don might have a seizure from his temperature. He let little Don lay his head on his lap while he was reading. But his fever was making him so uncomfortable he couldn't sleep. But when I came in to give him medicine I saw that Leo was letting Mini me hold his hand, but he wasn't just holding it. He messed with it for hours. I don't even think Leo notices it anymore. But when I first started talking to Half-shell .He was teaching me about medicine but after a while when I was studying his 'anatomy' drawings he started doing it with my hand too. I didn't' think there was a correlation until I realized that Master Splinter had been watching TV at the time. As soon as he came in the room, the kid was shaking like crazy till he started messing with my hand."

"Yer sounding like a bit of a stalker Don."

Was that ALL he as getting from it? "Raph, that 'weird hand thing' helps him deal with other people. He doesn't do it when he's 'bored'. It helps him deal with people he wants to connect with; it's the only way he knows how."

"You know that sounds stupid right?"

Ooofff course, "I know, but it's true. Don't forget me and him are the same person but from different dimensions, "he paused, "and heights."

Raph glared over at him again before standing up, both of his hands on the back of his head with a loud groan. Don knew he could tackle his brother to the ground if he made his way to the door. But he knew the odds weren't in his favor. His hotheaded brother turned back a look in his eyes that was almost strange, "You never did weird things like that."

"You just didn't notice." He honestly didn't want to explain, but he knew Raph. If he didn't explain now he'd never get to it, and Raph would never leave him alone, "Look, I never said it but it was hard when I was little ok? I was a freaking genius amongst you guys. You three could relate to each other on a level I couldn't. No matter if Mikey ate paste, Leo was obsessed with training, or if you kept breaking rock with bricks all day." Don alteast liked the fact he had earned a quick smile from Raph. Then again, he could be thinking about how much he missed breaking rocks with bricks, "I didn't know how to interact with you. At the time was messing and tinkering with small stuff and I honestly felt like an alien amongst you guys. But when I started building toys I saw the way you guys smiled and it made me want to do more. I spent all my time making toys for you guys."

"That explains you almost dying over a freaking remote control racecar. "

Like he need reminding. But he knew Raph was stalling for an actual response. He crossed his arms and stared at his older brother till Raph's lip curled and he turned his head away for a moment, "Shit." Don wasn't sure when Raph started cussing so much, but maybe it was a rebellious phase, "Ok so why did he freak out so bad when he saw it was my hand?"

"Cause he thought it was my hand, or maybe even Leo's hand. And he was too tired to realize otherwise till he actually looked at the person. He's shy enough as it is." he honestly didn't think that bringing up Don's own Raphael would help at all. Atleast this was Raph wouldn't feel alienated.

"You know I didn't mean to scream at him right?'

There, "I know bro. and I know he didn't mean to enrage you. It was no one's fault."

Raph smiled weakly. It was nice to know Don still knew how to cheer him up, but it faded as Raph looked back towards the door, "I just hated the idea of a kid being scared of me."

That was understandable, memories of intercepted muggings, that old lady who they had saved from the Triceratons, almost anytime they failed to blend into the shadows and had their faces revealed was always met with horrified screams.

It was hard to feel like a monster especially around someone who looked just like them.

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Leo's hand was almost numb from running over Little Don's scalp so many times, his arms wrapped tightly around him. It was worth to feel the young ones face in his shoulder, his shaking all but gone.

He was grateful that Don had gone to comfort and or talk to Raph. Leo looked down to the child bundled into side. But he could feel the young one's weight lean more against him in a way he recognized. Leo gave him a quick squeeze to draw his eyes back up to him, "Do you want to lay down?"

"N-not really."

"Not even for a little bit? "

Only an idiot wouldn't know what Leo was hinting out. Donnie probably would have glared at him if he wasn't so tired.

And he really was tired

Despite everything he wanted to say, he leaned his head over to rest on Leos' shoulder. The arm tightening around it helped lift him to his feet, past the obnoxiously large television. From what he had read about the eyes, such a large and bright obnoxiousness should cause some sort of eye damage or something-

In the room Don sat down on the bed that was his while staying there. He honestly wanted to go back to the living room and do SOMETHING. But the push on his shoulder made him lay on his side, feet up on the bed and eyes going back to the kame sitting on the edge of the bed.

Leo's eyes were soft as ever. A smile that always made his chest pains of panic go away in a way that only a big brother could. His hand going up to run across his scalp, but Donnie knew he was just trying to get all the dust off his scalp to keep it from getting in his lungs.

This Leo was almost as motherly as his Leo.

"I almost forgot. Master Splinter has your clothes now, he said he wants to repair your clothes. So you might get your clothes back soon."

"O-oh." a cold tremble went through his chest, "o-ok."

"You don't have to worry; I know being around him makes you nervous. But won't it be nice to be in your own clothes?"

That would be nice. To be drowned in his fabric, to feel the stitches his family had put into it. To feel his mother's seal in the collar of it. If only to make him feel safe.

Especially if Leonardo said so

"Trust me on this ok?"

"Ok." he really did trust Leo. His answer earning him a smile from his 'Taisho' and a hand caressing his face. Don's hand reached up to take his squeezing it with a smile

"That's my Halfshell. Think of it this way, when you get home you're going to have so many stories to tell your Kuma-ni. He might not even be able to believe you"

Don smiled and nodded before nuzzling the pillow under his head and tucked his beak back under his Aniki's scarf, a blanket pulled back over his body and fingers trailing down his face marked Leo's exit.

Maybe a little sleep wouldn't hurt.'

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"He's ok right?"

Leo glanced around from the door and to his youngest brother. He could never claim his brothers were emotionless, but Raph's emotions tended to be more 'passionate' so when he was mad he was FURIOUS' and when he was happy he COOL HAPPY. So compared to the oldest brothers, Mikey and Don were definitely more 'concerned' maybe that was the characteristics that gave them the role of the 'youngest' brothers.

Leo never wanted to see Mikey's' eyes turn cold

"He's alright, he's a bit shaken, it doesn't help he's as homesick as crazy."

"I bet." His eyes glanced behind Leo again to the door. Leo reached and wrapped his arm around Mikey's shoulder to squeeze tightly to his side. Guiding him away from the door and back into the Living room, "Mikey, I promised Donnie I'd go with him to see April. She's been having some house troubles and I don't want him going alone. I thought Halfshell would be ok here, but after what happened with Raph I don't want them around each other. Can I depend on you to look out for him? "

Mikey's' face lit up form ear to ear in a way that almost made Leo feel nervous, "yeah sure! I haven't been able to hang out with him yet anyway!"

"Just remember he's still a little, "Leo paused, lining his fingers up together palm first in a prayer before spreading his fingers and tilting his hands downward, " nervous about being here."

"Hey I was voted the most charismatic turtle! And the friendliest, AND the handsomest-"

"You mean in that contest only YOU were allowed to vote in." Leo grinned his palm going up to rub against Mikey's scalp before yanking back on his mask. Mikey's hand shot up and slapped his hand away with a loud laugh. Shoving hard on his side and sending him sliding away. Mikey's' face bright and happy. The smile started to slide off his face, his hands going back up to rest on his shoulders squeezing them tightly as possible, "I'm counting on you Mikey."

"Course you're counting on me. And you have no reason to doubt me. I'll just give him about ten slices of pizza and a slushie."

"Mikey."

"Ok ok FIVE pieces of pizza."

"Mikey!"

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Don didn't fear alot of things. He hadn't feared death when he was locked in the Sohei walls with others infected with the Red River Virus, he had treated criminals who had no problem describing the horrible ways they were going to kill him once they found freedom. Though he just blamed it on the intense fever they were suffering. In this moment, riding on a large horse he barely had control over. His weak hands squeezing the reins and his legs were already numb. There was no doubt everyone knew of his stunt now, he didn't even want to think about the rage when they found him. But Donnie knew better

He knew his brother was out there somewhere

And all those summers he, his mother and Raph had spent traveling around, and all those boring hours Raph had spent talking about his 'tracking skills' and not letting Don return to camp until he proved his skills worthy.

This was the only time those cold numbing boringness came in handy. His eyes going down to the ground as he rode forward, fighting the trembles shooting up and down his arms in a nauseating manner. His legs struggling to squeeze the horses' sides.

Slowly his vision began to blur over, the night sky blending with the dark green forest. Don shot his arm up over his eyes, his world tilting around him. Before he could react, his body hit the hard cold ground arms going up tot protect his head. He wasn't even sure if the hors was still there but his stomach began toheave uncontrollably. Barely giving Don time to get on up his knees before the liquid in his stomach began to heave onto the ground beneath his hands

"DONATELLO!"

Oh Sprits no. The trembling returned through his bones, a wild untamed part of his mind told him to run. To get the horse back and run but a hand grabbed his shoulder flipping him onto his shell and holding him in thin arms, "My son, bless the spirits, I found you."

Nonoon this was wrong all wrong. His hands pressed weakly against Master Splinters chest with weak raspy breaths. But the arms wrapped tighter around him, "Please my child calm yourself. I spent all night looking for you. You could have killed yourself pushing your body like that."

That excuse, that freaking excuse he always heard and sent a growl to his lips, "O'nt care. My Little Brother is OUT there and I need to find him."

"This is no way to find your brother Donatello, this was FOOLISH borderline stupid-" the reign of angry words suddenly fell, The arms around him tightening around him, one of the hands disappearing. For a horrid moment Donatello thought his father was about to strike him till he forced his eye lids open, barely seeing 3 toed feet just next to them. and the subsequent noes that no doubetly formed a ring around them

Komori ninjas

"Give it up rat," a voice was harsh. It was also the closest ones, "Drop the knife, "

"Over your body, komori." Don wasn't even sure he knew his father was capable of such a deep intimidatingvoice. Taking a moment to revel in the guilt when he thought his father would strike him,

"It wouldn't be over your body rat. It would be over the body of your obviously ill kame child. You do not wish for him to die do you?"

Don could feel a growl course through his father's body. Even through the hand that had come up to rest on his scalp before a sigh fell from his father's lips and something hit the ground next to them. The komori moving closer.

Maybe they were the ones who had Mikey

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Something poked into his cheek. At first he thought it was a the echoes of his dream, so he pulled his face back around and nuzzled his beak back into his scarf. A faint squeaking sound reached him but he ignored it. Life in the sewers offered so many weird noises including the hectic sound of the so cold 'train' on metal tracks' that often had him falling out of bed in panic. So the fact this one was so small meant nothing to him or would interrupt his sleep.

His face was poked again, his lips drawing back in annoyance as he waved his hand in front of his beak. But the sound returned, it was a bit more discernable this time, almost like giggles? Giggles from someone who was far too old and masculine for such a sound

Slowly, nervously, Don peeled his eye lid back, the world fuzzed but the green shape of a creature was not two earth inches from his face, a bright smile and a outstretched finger still pressed into his face.

"Mmmoorrrnnniiinnngg."

Don's hand slid up and pushed the hand away before pulling the blanket back over his beak. Maybe if he ignored the giggling he could get back to sleep.

"Hey nonoooononono-" a hand shook his head, not his shoulder where it wouldn't of been early as uncomfortable, but a entire palm pressing over his face and shaking his head around, ' Wake up wake up! Or I'll keep poking you in the dimples!

What did dimples have anything to do with it? Don opened his eye again. It was kind of weird to see someone so tall , atleast taller then him, with such big muscles but still bore the unmistakable Mikey characteristics. Including the freckles, and the bright smile.

No one could ever say no to Mikey's smile

Don pressed his face into the blanket to revel in the blissful aroma of his sleep before sitting up, his palm rubbing his bare itchy eyes. The strange squeaking started up again, He glanced over to Mikey in time to see him with both fists bundled up under his wide unrelenting smile, "Sorry, you have such a cute tired face."

A cute tired face? Don fought the urge to kick the orange masked turtle off the med and crawl back under his blankets. But the odds of sending a turtle 5 years older and undoubtedly taller then him flying off the bed was almost delusional. So instead he glared at Mikey and snatched his mask off the nightstand and tied it over his eyes.

"Ok let's go!"

Before Donnie could react something shot over his wrist, a normally gentle tug sent pain shooting up his arm. A shout to pain flew from his wrist as his free hand slapped the grip on his wrist away. Yanking it to his chest with barely another thought

"Whoa hey!" Mikey's' hands flew up in a surrender. Don was almost satisfied to see the alarm on his face, if not for the pain throbbing down through his entire arm and through his fingers. He tried to flex but regretted it

"I-I'm sorry." Mikey's voice certainly sound remorseful. But Don kept focused on his arms. Allowing the Sohei energy to flow through his arm. Though naked to anyone but his trained 'Sohei trained' eye, he could faintly see the mist of white steam rising up. When he had described it to his beggaring little brother, who had been more than a little dismayed he couldn't' see it. Don described it as his own technique eh had discovered a few months after his 'taken' top help soothe the pain the wrists.

But he knew they would never heal right

"I really am sorry? Did I hurt you?" Don wanted to ignore the older version of his little brother. But he found his eyes going up from his flexing fist.

OH Spirits

If his Mikey was the expert of sad eyes, then this Mikey was the master. Complete with dipped head, bottom lip and sad eyes. He wasn't' even sure when he had started sitting on the edge of the bed

Don shook his head before looking down to his hand again. He pointed to his wrist and made sure he had Mikeys' eye contact. He tapped his wrist again and shook his head before pointing to his hand, reaching out and taking Mikeys' and giving it a small squeeze,

"Ok so hands ok, wrist is bad?"

Correct, he nodded but before Don could even think, he was drug out of bed onto wobbling legs with Mikey smiling brightly, "Come on it'll be fun!"

Why did the spirits hate him?

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Leo glanced around the street, normally a well-lit part of town made him nervous. But he knew better now, April lived in a part of town that was plagued by older people. So even if they DID get seen, the chances of the being seen by eyes younger than 80 without any visual impairment was lowered.

He was almost 70% sure he could of walked down the street for years and have no one see him or his brothers here.

"You coming in Leo?"

Oh right, Leo looked back into the window at the red head smiling at him, "Yeah sorry." Leo took a hold of the top of th window to slide in. Hey unusually large apartment bathed in dim lights and a kettle hissed on the stove, "Casey's visiting his mom right?"

"Right, Don's already downstairs. I really appreciate having your guys' help."

"Hey, if you have ninja turtles on speed dial you should use them." He smiled before closing the window after him. Noticing a pharmaceutical bag on the counter and walked on over, "Hey, did you refill Don's inhalers?"

"Yeah, he said his backups were even running low. You know how he is."

"More then most." Leo almost shook his head. He wanted to claim that, if he had asthma, he would never be as careless as his brother was. But he probably would have been worse. He also knew that Little Don was even worse then Donatello, Leo opened the bag and looked inside, 1,2,3,4- huh? "Did you get him a new inhaler?"

"Nope, I got little Don one."

Huh? Leo looked back around, "Why?"

"He might be here a while, I know your system is working now but it might help his 'attacks from being so severe. "

"Thank you." he meant it. He even meant it for the tea that April was now pouring. The new inhaler stuck out stakingly amongst the other worn ones covered in faded stickers. Leo reached in and drew out the new inhaler. It was nice of April to get it purple, if only a lighter shade. It was easy to see which inhaler was designated to each turtle; Original Don's was covered in layers of stickers that had been on there since he was a child. Raph's designated inhaler was red and was the best kept, other than Leos, Mikey's' was orange and covered in tiny little worn marker drawings. Little skulls, peace signs, and the Silver Sentry logo. Splinters was the most plain looking one.

Leos' was blue, tiny Japanese symbols marked over it for luck and prosperity. Anything to give them a edge. A much needed edge, he rolled the new one over before leaning his head over to glance around it till he noticed a new sticker on it, a small smiley face. Leo looked back up to April who was pouring him a cup, "A smiley face sticker/"

"I can't imagine he smiles too much since getting here. I just want to remind him to." April smiled, as though reflecting her sentence, moving over to sit down, "Relax Leo."

"Sorry." he moved down too, taking up the mug and sipping out of the mug, "I guess I'm just nervous for him."

"Which is why I made the tea." she tapped the mug he held. Leo didn't' have favorites, but he defiantly liked the mug April had marked' his' for when he came over. Mostly because of the tiny black cranes pained on the sides.

"Thank you." he sipped it again. If April had any skills that rivalled her genius, it was her tea making skills. Though he hardly ever had the opportunity to taste it. The balance of leaves and a strange mixture of spices was almost heaven. If only she wasn't as caffeine addicted as D-

Wait

April never made tea. She made coffee, she LOVED coffee. She only made tea when she absolutely had no choice. Aka, the last time she had a cold, or the flu.

she never made tea

She always took care of her own repairs.

Leo drew in a slow breath. Fighting the voice of Little Don in his head. Trying to convince him of his friends state. Of something he that was impossible, Of the looser clothes she was wearing, the careful change in diet. He put the mug back on the table, trying to hide the quiver of his fingers and sweat building up on his palm. "Um, April?"

"Yeah?"

"You don't…want any coffee? Isn't it almost time for you to work?"

"I'm trying to cut out coffee, besides tea is better for you." she sipped the mug with a smile. Uh huh. Leo had tried to make that argument so many times with Don. , "Why are you asking?"

"You have more than enough skill for repairs. You trying ot take it easy?"

"Isn't that what you and the others try to tell me to do?" she wasn't' stupid. Leo knew she was planning circles around him. Her eyes looking straight on him, But there was one thing she couldn't avoid

The flat out question

The question that could cause either uncontrolled yelling or uncontrolled hitting. So he picked up his mug again and took a sip from it. Thankful his form of liquid courage didn't come in alcoholic form. Slowly reaching his hand out to April's resting arm. Drawing blue eyes up to his with a head tilt of curiosity. Before Leo took a deep breath and asked the question NO ONE wanted him to ask

"Are you pregnant?"

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Donatello didn't' like a lot of things in the 'new world' he had discovered. He didn't like that almost every food he had been offered was covered in a layer of yellow expired dairy products. He didn't' like the fact he couldn't step in the direction of the door without Either Donatello or Leonardo running over and asking 'Whatchu doing?'

He wasn't even sure what "whatchu' meant

Even if he did get outside where was he supposed to go? Honestly? To the surface to get hit by a car? To a restaurant to eat 'fried potatoes' that made his stomach upset? Or find more of those nudey magazines that had mysteriously disappeared from his form when he had woken up in the "Lair."

But this abomination was the worst invention

It was instable and idiotic. Who ever thought of attaching circular component that is intended to rotate on an axial bearing plane to a wooden board and be expected to ride it!?

Then again, maybe it was the idiot for letting Michelangelo strap him with pads, similar to the ones he had sewn for his little brother, only made out of that cheap material he didn't' like. Don especially didn't like the weird 'helmet with a strap under his chin but did appreciate its effectiveness as he lay on the ground dazed from his latest fall

And it made his tail sore

Hands went his armpits, a laugh in his ears, "dude you suck at skateboarding." as he was lifted back up to his feet. AND he wanted to point out the VERY obvious fact that he never said he WANTED to skate on boards. HE wanted to read. Spirits his tail hurt, Don reached back to rub in sympathetically,

"Dude I know, I wish they'd invent ass pads."

Ass pads? If Don had learned anything from his experience, it was that creatures in his world had gained a advantage over those of most in his world. Something that was normally only obtained by those of the wealthy. He wouldn't say that these turtles were 'lazy' but they had a advantage he and his people did not. The advantage to sit around and allow fat to build up on the area meting the cushion

Bigger asses

Donnie reached up and worked on the clip, undoing the strap under his chin and holding the helmet out to Mikey with a knowing look on his face "Ok so you don't like skate boarding. " Mikey laughed, taking it, "Too bad, this was my lucky helmet."

Lucky for who? Don sat on the chair and started to work on the straps around his knees and elbows. Trying not to look up. There was no doubt Mikey would be disheartened. He would be, atleast Mikey was trying to let him have fun. Or atleast MOVE. He couldn't remember the last time he could walk to the bathroom without some harassing him about 'moving too much'

A hand rubbed his scalp lightly; "I'll be right back stay." by the time Don raised his head again. Mikey's' form disappearing up the hallway and to the door closest to the kitchen. Is that where his room was? That didn't make sense, or maybe it did. Michelangelo did like cooking-

Something flashed in the corner of his eye. Drawing his attention to the table and to 'lap computer' Don had showed him, its screen was bouncing an image to each corner of a strange blue 'phone box' looking thing, but it looked like it said 'police box'. Oh well, it wasn't supposed to be doing that. That's what Don had told him, was it 'resting'? Don glanced in the direction that Mikey had gone before knee up and sitting at the table, how was he supposed to 'awaken' it again? If he did that he could turn it off. Right? He was sure his older self would appreciate it.

Don looked over the keyboard, recognizing the letters of the English alphabet, and some of the letters. But some of the other letters he didn't recognize, except for the 'dots'. No those were periods….spirits this was a messed up design. He waved his fingers over the key board for a moment before tapping the 'enter' key-

The screen flashed for a moment, the 'blue box for police' changing over to a image of giant naked humans with rather stupid look on their faces, in some sort of 'his age' European town and smaller dressed humans were running away from them. But it was frozen, and it looked like it was DRAWN. Don leaned in closer with a frown, and it LOOKED like the giant humans were lacking external sexual organs necessary for procreation. He looked down at the laptop again, how was he supposed to get the image to go away? Why was Raphael watching something so gross?! Actually, he didn't want to think why Raphael had been watching giant naked humans chasing smaller clothed humans-

He didn't keep track of his elbow, so when it hit the 'p button' and set the image into motion with the sounds of screaming people . Despite the initial having his foot caught in his chair, he flew out of his seat and to a standing position, hands over his ears, "What the hell!?" he snapped to the screen before he saw one of the giant humans snatch up the smaller one," What are you doing!?" Donnie demanded, hurrying back over to the screen, tilting the screen up further just in time to see one of the smaller humans hanging from the giant nudists mouth, Don jumped back again with a shout of panic, " WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT!? GET IT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!' he slapped the keyboard again, "STOP IT STOP IT! THAT COULD BE SOMEONES MOTHER!' But no matter how incessant his slapping, the carnage of giant nudist humans eating slammer ones continued.

Don held his breath, for some reason, and picked up the lap computer, turning it away from him. But not before another tiny human was smashed in the jaws of a giant. Looking around the room frantically, running to the couch and flipping the couch cushions, no not enough space before running to the center to the room again. The echoes of screaming tiny people as his eyes bounced around the room .Dons eyes fell on the box that freezes on the fridge

If he couldn't turn off the abomination

HE'D GET RID OF IT

He hurried over to the icebox and pulled the upper smaller shelf open. Cold wind struck his face as he ducked his head down, box that freezes INDEED. Don slammed the computer lap shut and slammed it into the smaller space and closed the door.

It took him several seconds for him for his breathing so slow and his heartbeat to stop pounding in his head. During which he did nothing but stare at the door, knowing on the other side laid an evil of nude cannibalism he hoped never to see again. His hand going up to slap the door with a satisfying slap, "You just stay there….and THINK about what you did!"

"Lil Don?"

Don froze for a few seconds before turning and seeing the older orange ninja standing just in the doorway of his room. Brows uneven and a look on his face that claimed insanity on the viewer and something sticking out of the belt. Donnie looked from the freezer to him before smiling, "Konichiwa."

The expression on Mikey's' face lit up, he charged into the kitchen in such dizzying speed he almost fell over again if not for the chair located behind him, "I've never heard you talk before! And you have a freaking cracking Kraken 'mid puberty' stuck voice! AND YOU SAID KONICHIWA WITH AN ACCENT!' I'm getting Donnie, my Donnie, to pull that from the security footage cause THAT is my new ringtone!"

Ringtone?! He almost wished he hadn't said anything; he wasn't even sure what that was except when Mikey rushed him he had inexplicably thrown his arms over his head and ducked down. Peering out between his arms with a wide panicked look his eyes.

Luckily Mikey seemed to get the picture, taking several breaths before sitting down on the other chair, "sorry I get excited easily, can't help it."

"I-Its ok." though that flare up his in his eyes said how much Mikey had killed his excitement, "I-I have a hard enough time talking to people at home, s-so it-its not y-y-our fault." op, here came the flare again. That was definitely excitement and EXACTLY what big Mikey wanted to hear. The older reached back into his belt, "Shell I forgot."

"F-forgot what?"

"I got this for you weeks ago when you first arrived." He pulled out something cloth and dark purple, fingering it for a moment before smiling, "I thought you'd like having a small souvenir from your stay in the greatest city on earth."

Don hesitated, looking from the cloth to Mikey before reaching forward and taking it tentatively in his hands. It was definitely made of wool; it appeared to be made in some sort of circular motion with a bump in the top. The front of it held a small insignia, but he could see three distinct letters

N.Y.C.

He ran his hand over the fabric, tightness in his throat that almost made him choke but he breathed in slowly before nodding, "Thank you Mikey."

"I knew you'd like it! Raph said it was dumb but I'm the gifting MASTER."

"A Master? REALLY?" Don smiled lightly before moving the cloth around again ,"Wh-what do I do with it?"

"You wear it silly!" Mikey took the cloth in his hands before reaching forward.; Don leaned his head down and let the cloth be pulled over his scalp. He could feel the edges of it being pulled down the sides of his ead and almost reaching his jawline. It really was warm though,

"Awwwwwwww you're freaking adorable you know that?! Is little me as cute?!"

"I'm not sure how to respond to that, but all the women seem to think so."

"Ahaha, so I'm popular with the llaaddiiieess." Mikey leaned back in his chair, "A little charmer I am?"

"A little 'you're thirteen' and all the Mom's like kissing you on the scalp and giving you sweets." The older orange masked turtle paused for a moment before taping his chin and smiling

"What I hear is, 'I'm always getting kissed by the ladies, and they buy me stuff."

Maybe Mikey didn't get their life style in Feudal Japan or he was a optimist, but he just shook his head. There was no point in ruining it for him. Mikey's face suddenly lit up again his hand slapped against the table , "I'LL BE RIGHT BACK!" before jumping over his own chair and back towards his room giving Don a wide smile before disappearing behind his door.

Donnie pulled his hat further down on his scalp before smiling. It really was a warm hat, if anything he might have to share it with his Mikey. He leaned his head down on the table and ran his finger down the wooden surface for a few moments,

A heavy set of footsteps rang across the metal floor, pausing for a moment. Lacking the 'beat' that Mikey's had he sat up in alarm before turning around to see Raphael standing by the fridge. A plastic bottle of red juice in his hand, "Calm down kid I'm just getting some Gatorade. I aint gonna scream at you."

Oh, Don lowered his gaze back down to the table. Atleast he knew that Raphael felt bad for what he did. Donnie knew he did. He glanced back up for a moment to say something before his head dropped back down. More than anything Don wanted to apologize, he knew how bad guilt felt. And he didn't' want any version of his Kuma-ni to feel it.

His eyes fell over to the piece cup of water sitting on the table, glancing up to Raph's turned back before dipping his finger in the water, even with it being his 5th language, he wrote "I'm sorry." upside down he wondered for a moment how he was going to get Raph's attention when the large turtle turned around, some sort of 'cookie' hanging from his teeth. Giving him a 'what?' look before his eyes fell on the table and looking back up. Shaking his head lightly, Don almost thought he had done the wrong thing till Raph reached up and took the cookie out of his mouth, "You aint got nothing to apologize for kiddo. I was the one who screamed at you. I thought you were scared of me. I wouldn't' blame you if you were."

NO why would he think that!? He could have been surrounded by a hundred Raphael's from a hundred universe's but he could never fear anything that looked like his Kuma-ni. Before he could stop himself he was already on his feet and rounding the table, his arm tight around Raphael's' chest. The turtle he was hugging stiffened like a board, he could even feel him swerve his head from side to side as though looking for something, or someone, so save him. But slowly he felt Raphael sigh lightly, something pressing against his shell in the form of a palm. "'appreciate the forgiveness. Not everyone coulda done that. It took cajones."

Cajones? Don wasn't sure what that was, and he didn't want to know. A warm embrace that was the closest thing to familiar he had seen in a month. But standing in a world that terrified him, -

"How do you know this symbol?"

The old voice, soft and aged with time and so close to his ear, struck horror down his spine. His hands shot up to shove him away from the chest holding him close. Stumbling back till his foot got caught on something in the floor sending him flying back, bouncing so harshly off his shell his body spun a few feet till he flipped onto his knees and slammed his palms down. The world spinning around which was pretty impressive since the floor was all a solid color.

A clawed hand grabbed his arm, almost sending him back in panic if his shell hadn't' slammed into the 'cabinets'. He wasn't even sure how such a old rat could move so fast but was now at his side, his purple samue in his hands. Don wasn't' even sure if Splinter had realized he was the source of his horror. But his dark eyes held emotion that Donnie didn't recognize, Splinters hands held open the torn collar to the small sewn symbol, a half crescent moon. The tips of the crescent coming together to make a right angle, "Is this your mother's family crest? IS THIS YOUR FAMILY CREST?"

Don flinched, his head turning away as pressed his foot against the ground to push himself back further. His head cracking against the cupboard, arms shooting up over his head. It wasn't' his strongest reaction, but if he had any control of his legs, he probably would of ended up under the couch again. Shaking uncontrollably. the world becoming muffled noise around him, indiscernible and almost numb to his body. Hands pressing against the side of his head as he squeezed his eyes shut

go away Go away Go Away GO AWAY

Hands grabbed Don's, yanking so hard he went flying from his spot. Somehow flipping him so his shell met the chest of his attacker. Before he could react, the hands forced his away from body. A cry of panic shot from his lips.

"CALM DOWN!"

Spirits did he have to yell in his ear?! Especially Raph, he screamed like a demon, "Mikey get the breathing thing!"

Breathing thing? Was he panicking? He tried to suck in a breath only to stop in his throat, harsh cough escaping his lips-. A familiar plastic mask was put over his mouth and cold air flowing through his airway. Don swallowed deep gulps of air so quickly his throat stung. A hand hooked around his shoulders, pulling him close against a chest. Don wasn't sure how someone could have such a good grip on his hands and in him. A hand stroking the back of his neck before resting there, pressing his head closer against a bare plastron

"Is he ok? He's ok right?" that was Michelangelo, he was supposed to be the one who got the oxygen machine, so Don wasn't sure why he felt so surprised, "I-I mean he was so scared, he could barely breath." The hand holding him close tightened, it was only then he noticed the arm also wrapped around his chest. Were they tangled up somehow?

"Are you awake kid?"

Don nodded forcing his eyes open. The part of his sight that wasn't obscured by plastron showed Mikey was right in front of him. There were paper books lying everywhere on the floor. Looking down he could see his arms forced into half angles. One of those hands were Mikey's, the one facing him, the arm trapped was barely mobile as it was. They had probably changed around to make him more comfortable.

But there was no doubt who was holding him so tightly

That was Raphael. With his hand on the back of his head, and a arm wrapped around his shell and keeping him in place. But it wasn't a constrictive hold, or painful. Even so he moved around in a small squirm. But the arm around him tighten, "L-"His tongue felt thick and uncontrollably, "Pl-please le-let me go-"

"Why did you try and hurt yourself?"

Donnie blinked in horror, no. He really hadn't tried had he? He tried to convince himself otherwise, fighting the panic rising in him. Not sure if it came from being held against his will or the fact someone other than his family had seen him in one of his darkest traits, "I-I'm sorry-'

"I'm not ASKING for a apology." definitely enraged. And defiantly painful on his ears, "why the hell would you want to hurt yourself?! I thought you were SMART-"

"I-I," all explanations were stuck in his throat. Every excuse, everything he didn't want to say that was demanded of him. Spirits, he-

He felt the grip on his left hand disappeared, drawing his attention back to Mikey, a hand rubbing his scalp, "Its ok Mini Don."

"MIKEY-"

"He didn't do it on purpose Raph. Look at him he's about to freaking cry, "WAS NOT! "You really want to be the ass who made a kid CRY."

Why was the fact he was a kid such a big deal?' But atleast Raph had stopped screaming at him, but he couldn't see Raph's face anyway-

The grip around his shell tightened before sliding up to his shoulders pushing him away till he found himself looking into amber eyes so similar to his own brothers. They even had the same veins in their eyes that popped out in anger

"Promise me you'll NEVER try that again."

Spirits they even said the same thing. The whole time he had been in this world, he had religiously avoided Raphael. More than Donatello, more than the horrible smelling pig skinned humans. More then even Master Splinter whose very presence made him go back into a state of mind he hadn't been in in 2 years.

His eyes burned in a mixture of shame and tears as his head dipped down and nodded.

How many times had Donnie promised his big brother that? More times than he had failed at it. he didn't want to fall back to that state of mind. TO have no control of himself or his surroundings. The arm wrapped back around his shoulders and hugged his face back into Raph's plastron, his other arm wrapping around him and holding him as tight as possible. Don could have even sworn he felt Raphs hand slide up to rest on the back of his scalp.

If Don didn't know any better He could of sworn Raph was trying to apologize.

The part of Don that claimed his matureness, claimed that he didn't need his Kuma-ni to follow him or hound his every move. But the part of him that was homesick, that wanted nothing to run home and be held by his brothers for hours. To be with his family and never have to suffer through the insecurity of knowing he could never see them again.

Don closed his eyes and pressed his face into his 'copy' brother's chest. Tears running down his face as he tried to keep his sobs soft and unnoticeable

What he couldn't ignore was the hand gently stroking the back of his head, or the gentle murmurs in his ears

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Don's chest expanded and lowed painfully there was a tight grip around his shell and something pressing into his stomach. His limbs were too heavy for him to move, and he could feel his face bounce off of a back. "Be gentle with him." Came a snap. Master Splinter? Oh right, he had followed Don there. he was obviously talking to the person carrying them over his shoulder

"Shut up rat, you're lucky we didn't just leave him behind." what a harsh voice. The arm around his stomach tightened. He could just feel something leathery brush against the side of his head

Wings

Komori ninja

When had that happened? He remembered falling off the horse but that was it. Wait, Splinter had come after that. Atleast he didn't forget too much. But he could remember the voices around them. The ninja. Don shifted around, if only to awaken himself up when the arm around his shell tightened uncomfortably, "STILL kame."

Still? Was he telling Don to stop moving? To stay still? Or was he reminding him he was STILL a kame. Odds were it was the first one; in that case Don was more than willing to apply. It wasn't like he could anyway. Judging from his hearing, he could hear several more footsteps around them. 5 pairs of feet and the clip of horseshoes, 5 ninja. 6 if you included Splinter, but they weren't on the same side.

The sound of hushed voices reached him. They fell from above like rain. They had to be at the Komori camp, only they would hide in the trees like that. He could just hear their wings opening and closing in pattern. Restlessness.

The snapping of leather filled the air, something hit the ground just in front of him, something smaller next to it but hit the ground more clumsily. As though unused to the impact of a fall, "Akira, what are you doing?"

"We found them while searching for food. The boy at least is related to the orange kame we already have."

Orange-

Don's eyes shot open, though the world was still blurred around him and covered with the black clothing of ninja garb, he pushed hard, twisting his body around. The arm tightened even more, but Don's foot finally shot up and caught him in the hip. The komori known Ai suddenly cried out with the shout of ,"GAKI!", his body hitting the hard ground , following Ai's his arms almost sent him falling on his face, if not for Master Splinter catching him around the face. But he could see the form of a large komori, taller than the ones he had seen, broader, older.

But he didn't care,

"Where's my brother?!" He shouted to the Komori, "My little brother, where is he-"

"FOOLISH!" Ai sounded like he was having trouble using his hip, "BRAT! I"LL SLIT YOUR BELLY-"

"Jūbun'na!"

The komori knonw as Ai stopped moving. Don squeezed his eyes shut, trying ot ignore the situation before rubbing his eyelids frantically and forcing htem open again.

The world began to clear up, the Komori who shouted the command coming to contrast. His body was thicker then the other komori he had seen, and his wings were even larger. His body clothed in the same black material as the others. But his hair was tied back in a perfect long pony tail, grey streaked against black. The ninja next to him was almost identical, save for the hair difference of pure black and the black cloth tied around his forehead.

" I never thought you a child, Ai. But if you are to lose your anger to quickly to one, then perhaps you would like to wrestle in the dirt? Would that quench your immaturity?"

The loud growl behind him almost shook his bones. It could have rivaled Raphs growls. Something sounding like a fist slammed into the ground. Obviously his answer

"Good, Dansei wa, kieru."

Within unison, the wings flew open around them, Shooting up and disappearing into the trees .Don could barely see them in the night. But their sounds didn't lie-

The smaller komori stepped to the side, pushing forward a small figure, a thirteen year old whose bright orange yukata shone like a sore tail, even if he hadn't been wearing his orange mask. Especially when he finally saw him, all but running forward

"MIKEY!" Don rose up n his knee opening his arms in time to catch a incoming kame in his arms. All but tackling him to the ground. Sobs bursting from his brother not a second later. He could already feel tears staining his samue and shaking his thin body, "Its ok Mikey its ok" he whispered gently, running his hand up and down his neck, "its ok-"

"It has been a while Grandmaster Gorou."

Don looked up to see Splinter standing infront of his sons. He was actually a bit touched that Splinter trusted him with his brother. But more surprised that Splinter knew that Komori's name. He gently tucked his head down and pushed Mikey from his chest, taking a chance to take Mikey's; wrist, looking over them before checking for any other injury. Trying to ignore the painfully tearstained eyes and his trembling body

"I almost did not recognize you Hamoto Yoshi, last I saw you were younger. And not quite socrippled."

"Crippled and disadvantaged are two different things. Can I assume the komori my son killed was known to you?"

Uh oh

"He was one of my sons."

Don felt a painful shiver crawl up his spine, his arms going back around Mikey to hold him close. More than any ting else, he wanted his little brother naiveness in that moment. He wanted to be oblivious to the trepidations of their presence. Even with the smallest glance back up to the Komori clan Grandmaster, told him everything

He knew when a parent was after revenge

"You know what it means to have your family marked Hamoto-san. Be grateful I only marked your oldest son."

"I can see Komori cunning still knows no bounds." Don could practically feel the fire of Splinters words. And was grateful he was not on the end of them, "You were the ones who lured Akai to the Reddomedou Village. so that the samurai would be forced to leave and to leave the women and children defenseless. So you could aim for the youngest brother of Miyamoto Leonardo."

"You are as sharp as ever, I only wish I was as sharp to know he was your son."

"But this does not change your mind."

"You should know better Hamoto."

"My child is ILL Gorou. He needs to be back at the camp with his medicine. Not out here."

Great, now he was an excuse. But it was the only time he didn't mind.

"The one in purple?" there was almost a snort in his voice, "I agree he looks half dead, it was quite foolish of him to come out on his own. It would be even more foolish if you didn't leave with him in the next minute."

There was a pause,

"You would let me and my sons leave?"

"You and the purple one may go. But the orange one will stay."

Donnie could feel Mikey's' hand squeezed tighter. He shushed him gently before glaring back at the Komori Grandmaster. Though Splinters back was too him, he could see his hands start to shake in a rare spout of emotion, "His name is Michelangelo, and he is NOT staying with you."

"He is not in any danger, so long as you swear to go to Leonardo and tell him to meet us at the Raisuhowaito River Plunge in 2 days time. Think of it as a timed challenge. If he arrives, your son will be returned unharmed. If he refuses I will ASSURE you there will be consequences."

Don could feel Mikey sob softly. Don lowered his cheek to rest on his scalp for a moment. He knew his father, and he knew his body. Traveling by horse in such reckless speed wouldn't be good on his condition. Splinter could always leave Donnie behind as well, but his father would never risk that. He knew that, Mikey knew that, Splinter knew that. It was the only reason Splinter was even hesitation.

But there was another option

He held Mikey tighter to him, before kissing him on the scalp, "I love you Mikey." Mikey's eyes shot up in question before Don put his hands on Mikey's shoulders, using him as leverage to stand up, his knees shaking. Before stumbling forward, his knee giving out by his second step and sent him back down with a loud cracking of a fallen branch, he could feel Mikey's hands grab his with a panicked shout

But he had made up his mind,

"Take me instead."

The two Grandmasters turned their heads. Don almost thought they had forgotten they were physically there, though he was trying to forget Mikey's 'desperate tugs on his hand, "Don no! Please! I'll go-"

"NO. I will." it made sense, despite the shivers, he forced his eyes up past Splinters to meet Gorou's.

He had never met a Komori that was a ninja, his only experience were in Bandit Komori and , with a tremble of pain through his shoulders Akai Komori. But he refused to lower his eyes. A small smirk going across the Grandmaster's lips, "What logic is there in that? You are obviously ill."

"So if I have to go with Splinter then I'll only slow him down, guaranteeing he'll miss his deadline. If my little brother goes with him there's' no way he'll be late. Unless that's what you want. And I can assure you, if that happens and you DO hurt Mikey you'll have the entire wrath of Murakami village on you. Unless that's' what you want."

Gorou's eyes looked him up and down, Don was grateful his father hadn't said anything but he knew his father had absolute horror on his face. And the fact he hadn't said anything told him everything.

They both knew this was the only way

"Very well. Hamoto Yoshi may leave with the orange child. The purple one is coming with us-"

"NO!" Don had almost forgotten that Mikey was there, except for the moment when Mikey's hands grabbed his, "Donnie you can't I'll stay! I will I promise, I won't cry I promise not to cry-"

"It's not up to you Mikey. You are LEAVING." Don yanked his arm away, looking back to Master Splinter.

He never doubted his father loved him, and in that moment, with his Hamoto Yoshi's eyes burning with regret with helplessness, he knew it further. Splinter moved past him, hand going down to grab Mikey's arm, "Come my son,"

"No PLEASE!" Mikey turned back around, tears flowing down his face, even as Splinter drug him closer to the horse, "I can't'! Don you can't do this! Not again! "

Don squeezed his eyes shut, trying to fight the tears burning in hit eyes and the trembling that kept him from standing. Forcing a smile on his face that Raph had given him so many times over the years. Even as the horse disappeared in to the darkness and he was left alone with creature of the night

"I'll be ok little brother."

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"Why the hell haven't you told Casey yet?!"

Maybe that wasn't the most delicate way to ask a woman why she hadn't told her husband and true love why she hadn't informed him of a pregnancy. That heavy glare from blue eyes said that April was NOT happy with Leo at that moment. But maybe he should have realized that when April had slapped him upside the head with her phone book. Leo rounded the table, "April you're having a baby HIS baby."

"Don't you think I know that!? Why do you think I'm eating freaking BRUSSEL SPOUTS.' she wave the bag , "Instead of drinking coffee?!"

"But, "Leo eyed the phone book on the table before re-rounding the table and out of arms reach, "Come on April. If you haven't told Casey then I KNOW you haven't been to a doctor. Tell me, what are you going to tell Casey when you go into labor?! You're out getting milk?!"

April looked around the room, hand braced on the table as she took several deep breaths. Leo was grateful that he had sent Donnie home already. The moment the genius turtle had walked in, Leo and April had both taken cue and put on bright smiles. No doubt alienating Don, but giving him permission to head home. But the second the window had closed, the yelling had started back up

And seeing one of his best friends in such distress was enough to quench his rage. Leo pinched the bridge between his eyes, forcing his breathing to slow and cool his boiling skin. Maybe this was how Raph felt all the time, "I"-I'm sorry April, I'm sorry I didn't mean to scream at you like that. I'm so sorry."

"D-ont be." her hand went up to her forehead, "I-I know I'm being stupid."

"Then why haven't you told anyone?" Leo came closer reaching up to take both her hands into his, "April, you're PREGNANT. It's a wonderful thing, you shouldn't' have to hide it. Especially from your family. Not only that, but this is CASEYS' baby so there's a good chance it has brain damage-"

Though a insensitive joke to Casey, it was worth it to see Aprils eye light up in the faintest of laughs. Her hand pulling of his long enough to wipe her eyes, "How-how did you even know?"

"Little Don is a Doctor back home. Apparently he specializes in, well everything, but he can tell a pregnant woman from a mile away."

"Isn't he only fourteen?"

"Yeah, it's sad that he's' so much younger then us but technically he's gotten further with a woman then 4 eighteen year olds."

Aprils' face crinkled up, "Ew, but I guess his Master Splinter doesn't have to worry about giving him the talk."

"Nope, he actually gave the talk to RAaph. And at a weird time, Me Raph and Usagi." But Leo didn't know that full story, only that it was enough to make April laugh, his gave falling back to the table for a moment, "Actually he's terrified of Master Splinter. I don't know why but he is."

"But, didn't Master Splinter raise him?"

"I-I don't know. He doesn't' tell me a lot about his home. Except for the fact he love's his brothers. He calls his Leo 'aniki' and calls his Raph 'Kuma-ni."

"Th, "Aprils face smiled gently, "That's sweet."

Leo nodded, though he barely knew it was there, he sat back at the chair, "He's such a good kid. I thought he'd never trust me, but now that I have it. I'm scared I'm going to do something that'll ruin it."

"You won't," the hand on his shoulder was so soft. The first human who ever trust him and his brothers. The only person he'd ever consider a sister in his family. Leo lifted the hand on his shoulder up to rest against his cheek, "Thanks for being part of my family April. You and the baby."

"You can't shake us that easily."

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"WHY WAS MY LAPTOP IN THE FRIDGE?!"'

"For the last time , how the hell should i know!?"

"You were the one who borrowed it! You said "I just want to watch 'Attack on Titan'. Where do i find it?! IN the FREEZER stuck on the first episode!"

"Dam it it wasn't me-"

Leo almost considered going back in the elevator and reentering on the off chance he'd run into a more 'normal' conversation. Rather than the scene of Raph and Donnie standing in the kitchen, his genius brother with a wet looking frosted laptop in his hands and Raph with his hands over his head. It was a rare enough sight to see red and purple clash like that. But, going over his options, he chose to walk by with the plastic bag hanging from his hands.

"WHO ELSE WOULD PUT IN IN A FREEZER?!-"

"MIKEY! MIKEY WOULD!"

Leo was about to head off of throw the 'sugar black hole' named Mikey his bag of sweets when his fist shot up to catch something soft in the palm of his hand. Leo looked to the piece of bread wadded up in his hand before looking back around to the ruckus in the kitchen to see Raph with a loaf of bread with another piece of bread in his hands, "Oh good got your attention, Can I talk to you?

That was anything new. Since little Don had arrived he had spent aggressively little time with his father, something he knew he had to make up for later. Leo set the bag on the floor before jogging down. The door to Splinters room lay just past the training space

That was something he could deal with later, especially with that elbow hooking around his neck and being drug back with his heels scraping the ground. He honestly didn't know where they were going till they were standing outside Splinters room. Having replaced the metal door with one that was screen and , in Leos' opinion, a upgrade.. But somehow his father never found any hindrance in getting to any source of 'real' trouble in less than a blink. Leo glanced back to make sure that Raph and Don had stopped arguing, though now Don had set his laptop on the counter and was resting on his elbows with his hand over his head in absolute devastation.

He'd find out about that later

The arm around his neck suddenly loosened and he found himself being shoved lightly away. Raph's eyes glancing over to the main room. where the rest of the 'brothers' were. He had no doubt they wouldn't be able to hear him-'

"The kid tried to hurt himself."

"What!?" he barely had time to spin around, no, he had to be lying. Btu his amber eyes stayed firm. Leo grabbed his shoulders, "Raph that's not funny-"

"I'm NOT trying to be funny. I wouldn't believed it either if I hadn't seen it."

The biggest fold in his brain told him his brother was lying. That someone Little Don's age would NEVER try and hurt himself.

But he knew his brother

and he knew better

Leo forced a breath through his lips as his hand ran over his scalp. Pacing around a few feet before looking back to the kitchen and living room. Atleast he hadn't caught their attention, "What the hell happened?"

"I was in the garage when I heard him and Mikey messing around. But I tried to ignore it. I went to get something to drink when I thought they were 'playing' somewhere else but your buddy was still at the kitchen table, Mikey had gone to get him some comics or something. I wasn't even going to talk to him but I." Raph's hand went over the back of his head, "I wanted to apologize for screaming at him. You know, but before I could I turned around he had freaking written "I'm sorry' on the table in water. I sorta thought it was half assed till I saw his face." Raph looked back to him, "that kid has the freaking saddest eyes. He could Mikey a run for his money. I knew he didn't mean it. So I got my balls together and I apologized too. I apologized for screaming at him and I told him it wasn't his fault. The kid freaking hugged me," Raph smiled sadly, "

"I kinda…hugged him. He deserved it. He wasn't a bad kid just, shy. Then Master Splinter came in with his shirt. I don't think he even knew Splinter was there. I didn't even know WHY Splinter was holding his shirt till he grabbed the kids arm. He freaked out and threw himself away from. He almost broke his head on the cupboard. It was like he was spasaming, before I knew it he was grabbing at his wrist. It took me and Mikey both to pin him down. I demanded what he was doing but he was so out of it. I don't think he even knew he was doing it."

Leo felt his back teeth grind together fighting for the first undisciplined response that came to his mind, "He didn't-"

"WE stopped him in time."

"Good." That was positive atleast, "He-he's ok?"

"He cried a little bit but other then that he's ok. "

"You didn't scream at him again did you?" His tone was harsh but Leo found ti hard to feel bad even with that glare returned to him, "NO, I just, I let him. You know? He was CRYING what else was I supposed to do?"

Anything else, but Leo could still appreciate such a kind act from his normally aggressive brother. Leo reached up and touched his shoulder for a moment. Drawing his brothers attention, "Thanks Raph-"

"That's' not all, he was coughing pretty badly so I made him go lay down. But I talked to Splinter, I just wanted to make sure he was ok. But he was getting out all these old paints out. He said he recognized the family symbol in the kid's collar."

"How? Halfshell's from another dimension."

"He said he had seen someone with that symbol in the Battle Nexus . He said that, since he knows that he can get a direct path if he can get ahold of the Daimyo."

The Daimyo? Splinter knew someone from little Dons dimension?-

"But there's more."

Of course, and with that shove to make him stumble back a few more feet. THAT was something he could stop NOW, "What-"

"Remember that night you and Little Don came back from White Castle?"

"We didn't GO to White Castle, "And he hated that movie, "but yes."

"I went to see Don in the lab, because he had been at it for WEEKS, to get him to take a break, but a 'dimensional window' opened up. I wasn't sure what we were seeing at first, but I saw Usagi and a younger version of Mikey."

" You saw Halfshell's home world? " Shell, , "And they were ok?"

"You weren't there, but it changed over to me. It looked like I had broken a leg on something. But he could HEAR us. When he realized Little Don was in our world he started throwing himself against it like a maniac till I talked him out of it."

"O-oh." Leo wasn't sure what he had been expecting to hear, but he hadn't been expecting to feel so heavy. Especially at news like that

The portals were opening,

Don's family was ok

Splinter was going to find a way to reach the Daimyo.

He kept his breathing level, smiling before reaching up and putting his hand on his immediate younger brothers shoulder, "Thank you for telling me Raph."

"Are you going to tell the kid?"

"I don't really have a choice do i?" Leo kept a smile though as he shrugged, "why don't you go figure out what happened to Don's laptop. I'll go talk to Halfshell."

Raph gave a small nod, smirking before shoving him in the shoulder and walking off. Leo took a deep breath before putting his hands on the back of his head

This was a conversation he didn't want to have.

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Don picked up the book that Mikey had given him. He wasn't quite sure the point of such a thin book with bright pictures and word bubbles. And Humans in such tight clothing. It was better then the 'video' of naked humans eating smaller ones

Honestly he didn't want to know why Raphael was watching that

The arm around him tightened, a heavier body leaning over and jabbing on the page, "and THAT'S the Silver Sentry he's about a million times more awesome then anything else in the world but that's' just my opinion."

"I don't mean to judge your heroes Michelangelo, but why do all of the humans you declare 'awesome' appear to enjoy skin tight clothing? And the women you declare awesome appear to enjoy showing as much skin as possible?" Don leaned his head back to rest against Michelangelo's' shoulder. He was actually surprised when Mikey had joined him, even going so far as to get under the blankets and cuddle him while flipping pages of the strange thin pages he so loved. Trying to point out how each character was different and so loved and broke the norms of social standards

"They're expressing their creativity DONATELLO," he felt the amrs around him tighten, "CREATIVITY Doctor Man."

Doctor Man? He was quite sure if he used the title his bleeding diseased patients would be laughing all the way to the next village and their more serious I-sha. On a quick side note, the closest I-sha other then him and Arata was about 20 miles away.

And he was dam sure those judgey laughing patients would come crawling back sooner or later.

Don rolled his eyes as he tugged on the strip of his mask before scooting down to rest on his shell. Listening to the hum of his oxygen machine and the shouts between himself and Raphael. The door opened slowly and he saw a familiar smiling face with a blue mask around his eyes, "Hey Guys."

"took you long enough." Don's head was pushed into his pillow as Mikey leaned over him, "what happened?"

"Took a nap." that was a lie. But with the smile it didn't seem so bad. Till Leo's eyes went down his wrists. Uh oh. this is exactly what he was trying to avoid by wearing bandages, Leo moved to sit on the edge of the bed," Mikey I'm just going to ask one time, did you put Don's laptop in the fridge?"

"No way man, I wasn't near it all day. The only one in the living room was Lil Don."

"I'm choosing to believe you," Leos' brows furrowed in a way that Don knew was half serious half 'if you're lying you're in SO much trouble'. Before he turned and pulled out a small red bag, "April got you some skittles why don't' you go eat them while I sit with Don? You've earned it."

The pressure that had kept the side of Don's face pressed against his pillow made him flip over off the bed, the orange masked ninja snatched up the 'skittles before spinning, "We'll practice skateboarding tomorrow! I'll ask Don to make you a ass cushion!" before spinning out of the room. The sound of stones running down a throat.

The room fell in a awkward silence that Don hadn't felt with Leonardo since he first arrived. His gaze going down to his lap as he slowly pulled his wrists from view and put them behind his shell, "Raphael told you?"

"Yeah, Raphael told me." atleast he wasn't screaming, but the concern probably hurt worse. Worse then the hand now running down the side of his face, "Why didn't you tell me? Why would you try and hurt yourself?"

"I-It's not like that. I'm not, "he didn't even want to say it. Don sat up and took the hand from his face and squeezed it between his hands, "Leo, remember how I told you I was in chains a few years ago?"

"Yeah?"

"Well I was trapped for a few days. I-I'd try and get the chains off myself. Even after my Kuma-ni saved me, I wasn't right in the head. I lost my mind for months. My-My mind, "Spirits he didn't want to talk about this, he focused on squeezing Leos' hand tighter, his thumb running up and down Leo's fingers. feeling the tiny Knick and scars on them ,"kept telling me I was still in chains, so i-id' try and cl-claw the chains off. Even if-I f they weren't there." He kept his gaze solely fixed on his hands. Donnie didn't even want to think about Leonardo's face.

"so you weren't trying to hurt yourself on purpose?"

"N-no." don lowered his head down to rest on his hand, "n-no. My-my mother taught me better than that. She taught me to value my life. I-I wouldn't EVER do that on purpose. "A huge sigh filled the room. He felt Leo's other hand wrap up on his shoulders as a he bent over, in a awkward but effective hug, "that's all I needed to hear Halfshell. "

That's all? 'That's all' made his chest ache. If there was something he didn't do he did cry TWICE in one day. NO way. He'd rather eat his own fingers. The hand on his shoulder suddenly pushed, forcing him into a sitting position and to look into dark yes "You have a mother?"

Did he forget to mention that? Don nodded, "Sh-she ado-adopted me and Raph when we were separated from you and Mikey."

"O-oh." Leo reached down into a bag Don hadn't noticed till now, "April sent some stuff for you."

"Wh-why?"

"cause she's nice to people who won't talk to her. "Low blow. And that smile said Leo knew that and , in a way, trying to avoid the topic of his mother. Maybe it was because this Leonardo had never had a mother? Maybe he should show him his family symbol. Later. Leo pulled out a few books. Don looked back up to Leo in time to see him reach into his belt and draw out something that fit in the palm of his hand. Purple, it sort of looked like Donatello's' inhaler

"April went and filled up one of Don's other inhalers. We don't' have your medicine here, but this is a close second."

An inhaler? Don reached up and took it. It was a strange looking thing; he had seen his older self-use them enough times. Squeeze the button and breath in the medicine, hold the medicine in your lungs and release your breath. He knew how to use it, he looked back up to Leo, "Why an inhaler? I don't have asthma."

"it's close enough." the small inhaler was placed in his hand. Like a lot of things, Don figured he didn't have a choice in the matter. Leo took the inhaler out of his hands for a moment before giving him a small shove on the shoulder. The universal symbol for 'scootch'. Don stuck his tongue out before bouncing over, giving Leo enough room to get under the blankets next to him before feeling his muscular arm wrap around him, holding up the inhaler for him to see, "Do you see that?"

"What?" Blame him for having tired eye. Don leaned his head back to rest on Leonardo's shoulder with a whine before looking back up at the inhaler. Before noticing a small black mark on the side of it. Donnie took the inhaler and held it closer, before the symbol came clear in a way that made his heart skip a beat. Making his sit up and turn to Leonardo, "Y-you painted 'health' on it?"

"I figured you could use all the luck you can get." Leo smirked as his hand rubbed his scalp again. Don smiled before putting the inhaler back in his pants pocket before snuggling deeper into the blanket. One of the larger books that Leo ha brought home was dropped on his lap. Don reached to pick it up before pausing,.

He loved spending time with Leonardo, maybe ti was his selfless kindness or personality Leo always made Don feel safe in world he didn't belong in. But in that moment something felt different. It made him look back at Leonardo with a frown. Earning him a equally confused look, "what? You don't like it?"

"N-No its great." it was something he couldn't shake, no matter how much eh wanted to drop it. He turned to look at him fully, making sure they had eye contact . Knowing Leonardo would never lie to him "are you sure everything's ok?"

That was a new expression; his face was strained and almost remorseful. Normally he was used Leo having a smile or keeping a look on his face that exhumed confidence. His eyes shifted over to the bedroom door, Don wasn't sure what he was looking at, whether metaphorical or physical. But when he looked back around he had a bright smile back

"everything's fine Halfshell."

"O-Ok." but Don forced a smile; he leaned back in his seat,

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

John Bishop couldn't find many joys in his life.

It wasn't as though he had any before, but he found the world he lived in fussy. Obnoxious and full of unneeded desires. But there was still a sound he so loved to hear. It sent shivers of excitement down his spine and through his teeth. The sound he was currently being here with.

The screams of an enraged prisoner

He could barely even believe see the man the Rat King had once been, drowned in chains and under the lazar of several guns. The streets had been locked down so no civilians could 'accidentally' drive past the construction site and see their work.

The man once known as Evan Burmingham was hung by chains on two support beams. His eyes glaring hatred at the solders surrounding him. A once honorable Sailor he had known, a proud Navy Seal, that he had even been a best man at.

Btu that man was long gone

Bishop strode forward, hands behind his back, "it's been a while Evan. Do you still go by that? Or should I still call you the Slayer?"

Pitch eyes shot over to him in a death glare, an inhuman sound rippling through his throat. Bishop could see his muscular arms rippling under his chains. But there was no way he would be able to free himself.

He had designed these chains himself

"I am not going to take up more of your time, it's obviously valuable." bishop could vaguely remember the last person who had the horrible mistake of thinking his tone humorous

That person was now in the Bronx with a bullet in his head

"So I'll make this quick, a month ago you came into contact with a 'new arrival' who takes after some certain 'turtles'. He's a bit younger than them, and I happen to know he was 'kind' enough to give you food. A bit demoralizing for someone with your," Bishops eyes ran up the ruined building, 'impeccable taste, but I happen to know what chasing someone for a life does. Atleast to the prey. It wears them down, drags them to the ground. Leaves them half alive. That's your position and the game we've been playing for the past two years. But I also happen to know you're quite the hunter. So here's my proposition.' He stepped closer, his men knew better then to warn him.

Bishop feared no man

Bishop feared no creature

He didn't fear the eyes glaring hatred at him. That blamed him for his condition, his head leaned forward

"SO here's my proposition, if you bring me the small turtle. I will forever abandon my hunt on you. You will be free to roam the rest the your days however your decaying body desires." The tone in the Rat Kings eyes changed. Had it been 5 years ago, Bishop might of understood that look

But that part of the Slayer was dead

---

Translations

---

ReddomedouChapter 20: Breathe

---

a/n

ok I'm sorry about last week TT3TT freaking life. I thought I was loosing my touch, but then I realized 'nah! you just wrote a freaking LONG chapter

LOOK AT THIS THING!

ITS HUGE!

Anyway, to thank you for being so patient, I had a experimental Un story I'm putting up. Its mostly just for me, but if you like it too then great!

Also, thanks to Sanru for helping me out with the freaking grammer! Oh but it was only for the first part of the chapter, the second half still has Charmy-o grammer mistakes my nephew could point out and go 'wrong!'

Enjoy!

---

Breath

---

The worst part of being so used to illness was that fact he knew the 'sickness' itself wasn't always the worst part. In his case, it was the constant sleep, not knowing if a day passed or 4 weeks. Not knowing what he was waking up to and not knowing if his family was ok. But it couldn't get worse than this. His eyelids spasamed as they struggled against their own weight, he could vaguely feel a thin folded cloth under his head that acted as a pillow, but it barely cushioned the rocks underneath it. The absence of the earthy smell told him they were off the ground, on a stone? No that didn't' seem right

"Donatello?"

He couldn't stop his body from shivering at the voice, before realizing the voice wasn't thick or strong like his fathers. It was marked with a strange accent and age that Master Splinter hadn't reached yet.

Oh

Don forced his eyelids open the rest of the way. The dark of the cave was heavenous upon his light deprived eyes. He could barely see his black furred uncle, wrapped in multicolored robes and white hair pulled back, but his beard hung low almost to his waist. Giving the image of someone who perhaps weren't used to the socializing. As a soft hand pressed against the side of his face to support his head, he couldn't help but sigh with relief

Grandfather

He noticed the sounds of whispers, dozens of others. Donnie raised his head up enough to see they weren't alone, many other children and women were in the cave, huddled close together. The children close to their mothers side and sitting on their laps. Lacking all energy and joy that they normally exhibited around the village.

This was a feeling he recognized

Fear

"Wh-where are we Grandfather?"

"The Mountains. The men and warriors are going to help Reddomedou Village from a Akai infestation."

Akai infestation? When Don had lived in Horyu City he had heard about Akai infestations almost everyday but to be fair he wasn't sure how many of them had been true. He did know they happened when some Akais' would get sidetracked on their way to Akai Forest and attack a village. The bloodshed would bring draw out even more Akai

It was a horrible situation.

The best thing for the villagers would be to lock themselves up and send out word for help. Don could only hope none of the villagers had gotten hurt, or worst. Bitten.

It would only make sense to send away Murakami's own villagers with a handful of 'protectors' to watch over them. It would only make sense that Lorenzo would be there due to his advanced age. That meant that Leo, Usagi, Daiki, Dorinbo and the rest of the warriors would be out

That meant Splinter was there too.

Don pulled his arms free of his 'cocoon' and pushed himself back up off the ground, he felt Lorenzo's' hands wrap around his chest and lift him up to a sitting position, "Thank you, " he whispered in a hoarse voice before glancing back around

Where was Mikey?

Everything else made sense, Lorenzo would have insisted to stay at his side, Splinter would be out to keep in contact with the samurai. But everything in him said that his little brother would be THERE to be as close to him as possible. He looked back up to Lorenzo reaching out to take his hand, fighting the urge to press his thumbs against his palm. To spare the arthritis he knew was there

"Where's Mikey Grandfather?"

Lorenzo's' normally bright blind eyes dimmed, before Don could ask again, his grandfather's arm wrap around his shoulders, drawing his weak form against his chest. The hand he held came up to rest against the side of his head, "We do not know my child."

Don all but yanked away, "What?! What do you mean?! What happened?!"

"When we arrived at the caves, he went off to gather some food from the area and, "there was a crack of his voice, the hands on the back of his head quivered in a way that almost seemed alien, and foreign to the grandfather who he had expected nothing but calm

If Lorenzo was worried

"We have people looking for him now, including your father."

Then there was a reason to be

"If anyone can find him, it's Hamoto Yoshi."

Donnie grabbed the cave wall next to him, and yanked hard, heaving himself out of his grandfather's arms to and his feet despite the cry of alarm from one of the mothers. Almost as soon as he tried to step forward his knees buckled again and sent him flying back to the hard stony ground

A pair of arms caught him around the chest, saving him from a painful fall and possibly passing out again. But the way the world spun around him, he already knew he was in danger of that as it is, "Calm down little one, "Lorenzo who knew such a old Neko could move so fast, or hold up his weight, he was all but drug back, his shell meeting the 'bed' set up for him as a hand returned to his brow

"Trust your father. He'll find your brother."

He smiled, not the smile that he was confident with. But the one he had learned as a I-sha to help patients feel more confident in the wellbeing of their loved ones. His grandfather smiled back before looking to the sack next to him and rooting around inside of it. Probably looking for his medicine. Don allowed his smile to fall before looking back to the cave entrance, he wanted to think about the other villagers hidden alongside the mountain, in other caves. They were all scared. Their loved ones fighting for their lives and the lives of another village

But Donnie couldn't let himself fall into that spiral or risk insanity. He couldn't think about Leo and Usagi's' first real battle, or the Headmen leading them who he had come to think of as his own father. Or even his Kuma-ni and mother, currently out on a bounty and would surely have a heart attack if they came home to an empty village.

Mikey

Mikey was his concern

He looked back to Lorenzo before closing his eyes. For the first time in a long time he was allowing the sleep to overtake him rather than fighting it with every inch of his being.

Donnie would need his strength for what he had planned.

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"Ok, so is this right?"

Donnie's head popped up from his resting on his arms. The 'dining room table' was covered in papers, sketches of the structural of a 'mutant turtle' and 'human' and 'rat', muscular, organs, anything he thought might be necessary for his older counterpart. After he had helped Older Don see the more important values of their differentiations. Things to notice in different types of body and take advantage of them. If certain organs failed or certain bones broke. He went over everything he could think of for the day, but he never imagined it would be so hard to keep up with someone with his own,'advantage'.

But his older self was absorbing everything he had to teach, an entire weeks' worth of knowledge swallowed up in a single day.

Now he knew why his old teachers wanted to swat him so bad.

At least why he knew why they got frustrated

He reached over and took the test back from him. Donnie's 'English' reading skills were simple enough to learn, but the language gave him a headache. His eyes flowed down the paper before smiling to Older Don and giving him a thumbs up. His older self smiled before taking the papers, shuffling them in his hands with a look Donnie didn't recognize, "I almost forgot how good it was to do well on a test."

"Test?"

"Yeah, like class. I was always ahead of my brothers so after a while Splinter just let me go off on my own, intellectually." Donatello stacked the papers up, before looking back up, "Hey why were you sleeping anyway? Are you ok?"

Concerned about himself? That was almost a level of kindness and narcissism all in itself. It didn't' help that Donnie couldn't think his older self was capable of narcissism, "I haven't been sleeping well, and I'm not much of a morning guy anyway."

"Oh really?" He didn't know why Don was smiling, maybe he was sadistic," That's something we have in common." his chair was pushed away as he stood up . Donnie laid his head back on the table as a hand rubbed his scalp. Oh he hated the sympathy, "If you weren't so young then I'd recommend my solution."

"My Kuma-ni says I need to do more pushups in the morning. I told him he needed to be more helpful."

"I can't imagine he liked that."

"He made me do pushups, "Donnie nuzzled his arms to try a get a better pillow, "But when I fell asleep in mid pushup he carried me inside so THAT was nice of him," Mornings SUCKED so bad. It wasn't like he wasn't the only one tired. The other sleep deprived turtle was currently on the couch and wore a blue mask.

Donnie wasn't sure when Leo started to get so sleepy. Maybe around the same time as him? He looked back over to the couch where a pair of green feet hung over the armrest by the ankles, "He's ok right?"

"Just tired, Leo crashes like this once a month. It's from training so much harder than anyone else in our family."

"You're not worried about him?" When he didn't get a response he lifted his head up to look back over. Donatello was standing at the counter; it looked like he had been leaning over it lightly to look at that strange metal elongated L with the screen of one of those television's. Hands braced against the edge and a smile on his face

"He's my big brother, when he found out I had asthma he stayed up for two days researching my ailment, till he fell asleep with his face in the books. I worry about him all the time, but when I show him that ,it just makes him think he's burdening us, and he works harder. The best thing I can do for him is not say anything." The older walked over to the couch, and took up the thick quilt over the back of it. Don couldn't see him when the blanket disappeared over the couch, but he knew his older self was laying it on Leo before smiling at him with a wink

"The best way to take care of Leo is to not let him know you're taking care of him."

That alone just proved how much smarter this Don was then him. How come he had never thought of that? Upon meeting his oldest brother, he had spent weeks trying to stop Leo from stressing himself out, ironically it was from trying to make Raph and himself more comfortable in their new home and situation. But every time he tried to say something, his brother would get defensive and work twice as hard as before.

Donnie hated being called a genius

Cause moments like these made him feel like a fool.

A hand rubbed his scalp lightly, drawing his attention back up to his older face, "Come on bud, you're tired. You would of realized it if you hadn't."

He wasn't THAT tired. But he nodded lightly before his face met his arms again, he could just hear his older self sit in the seat next to him, tapping away on his laptop. Don lifted his eyes enough to see a green hand lying on the table tapping away at the wood in an almost annoyed manner.

Don reached over and took the large hand, turning it over so it lay with its palm up. He wasn't' sure why he had this 'reaction'. But sometimes it just felt belter to feel someone else's hand. It wasn't as if he hadn't felt his older self's hand before. And he really didn't' mind then-

Except his older self's hand wasn't nearly as harsh as this one, actually judging by the knuckles, it was almost like this hand had spent countless hours punching things-

Uh oh

His eyes shot open and his body back up into a sitting position in time to see a emerald green red masked turtle with one hand on Donatello's laptop , one of those weird 'buds' that minimized music was held up to the side of his head while his eyes were on him. One eyebrow raised in a half amused half confused look.

Don shoved away from the table, his feet sending himself flying to his feet and half way across the room. Before his shell his something at chest level, he wasn't' sure if the cry of alarm come from him or from the Raph that currently had held his hand out as though trying to warn him about something-

Too late

Don flipped over the back of the couch, bouncing off the unwary occupant shell first and causing the sleeper to jump into a sitting position. But he was already hitting cold hard ground, before his brain could think straight, he noticed the space under the couch and tucked his arms to his chest before rolling underneath it and lying flat on his stomach arms tucked around his face if only to muffle the sound of his panicked breathing.

"Halfshell!?" Oh spirits, course he couldn't' have even HOPED that Leo had slept through that. Especially after potentially bruising his ribs. From the gap under his arm he could see someone else lay on the ground, "What's wrong?! Why are you under there?"

That wasn't too unreasonable of a question. And he wanted no more than a explanation , but he couldn't bring his head up from his arms.

It was the only way to hide his shame.

"Talk to me, please. ""

No

He couldn't

"What the hell did I ever do to deserve that!?" That was Raph. And he was definitely ticked off,

"He just got freaked out."

"What for?! He's been here for almost a month now. He's just being stupid now, HE'S the one who was messing with my freaking hand."

"It's what he DOES Raph. He probably thought it was my hand. "

"I don't care, the only bad thing I ever did to that kid was save his freaking life. If he's still has a 'conforming' problem then it's his own damn fault. I'm sick of taking the blame for his own stupidity."

Don's arms curled tighter around his face, pressings his biceps against the side of his head in a desperate attempt to block out that voice. Worse than the voice of Master Splinter, worse than the voice for that giant pig-skinned human that smelled like a monkey's for some strange reason

Worse than the voice trying to convince him that his own Kuma-ni was the one doing the screaming

"ENOUGH."

The arguing in the Main room ceased immediately with the sound of something wooden slamming against the floor, Don had thought that only Master Splinter and his other 'parental roles' could make the room seize up like that. But a lift of his head and seeing Leos' bent knee from under the couch told him there was one other creature in this world who held just as much authority'

And his name was Leonardo

"If you're going to complain like a child DO IT in the other room or keep your comments to yourself."

An angry growl gave his response, with a scraping of foot turning on heel as a door slammed. Wasn't that the door to the garage? The door opened and closed for a second time that was probably Donatello going to help Raphael calm down.

Silence filled the room, but to be fair his hearing was all but obscured by his deep panicked breaths. He had no doubt that Leonardo was still there either. It was bad enough he had freaked out at someone who looked exactly like his best friend. A part of him desperately wanted to regain some pride, but he knew it was long gone at this point.

A hand pressed its way through his folded arms, till it folded over the one he had folded under his chin. Donnie sandwiched the hand between his, lowering his hand to rest on it. Eyes squeezed shut. He could feel Leo's free hand run down the side of his face lightly, "There you go Halfshell, don't' you feel better?"

Honestly wanted to nod but he found himself shaking his head. He felt a hand wrap around his bicep and pull lightly. A small tug of encouragement, at first Don honestly wanted to slap his hand away and remain hidden in the darkness with his shame and embarrassment. But gentle coaxing words made him sigh before rolling, escaping the world 'under the couch'. Leo's arm pulled him into a sitting position so his shell was resting against the seat of the couch.

He wanted to say he felt less embarrassed but honestly the fact that Leo was now running his fingers over his scalp only added to the flame of humiliation.

"What happened buddy?"

"I don't know." Don's fingers squeezed tighter around Leo's hand lowering his head back down to rest against them , his cheek lowering back to rest against Leo's knuckles, "I-I'm fine."

"Come on, don't lie, I'm the only one here with you. Raph and Donnie are in the garage. You told me the that you have a complicated relationship with your Master Splinter. But you're always bragging about your 'Kuma-ni'. I didn't think you'd freak out so bad around him."

Donnie squeezed his eyes shut before leaning his head back over to his hand, course he wanted an explanation. Who wouldn't?

What other explanation was there other than him being a Spirit Dammed Fool.

"Do you want me to tell you what happened?"

Please don't. He wanted the foolishness to end. He wanted it all to stop; even so he pulled his face away from Leo's hand, leaning it back over to his shoulder. Leo's arm wrapped around him and hugged him to his side, " I think you miss your big brother, and it's hard to be around someone who looks so much like him."

Stupid Leo, stupid smart Leo. Donnie looked up to glance at his companion; he almost hated that kind smile. He wanted to at least. But he looked back down to the hand he had mercilessly been rubbing his thumbs against since their conversation started. Despite their strength difference, he knew that after a while it had to be painful to have something press against his palms so intensely.

The arm around him squeezed him tighter; Don released his hand and leaned his head back over to rest against his shoulder.

Don also knew this Leo was the only reason he hadn't lost his mind. That was something he couldn't bear to go through again.

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"What the hell did I ever do to that kid?! You'd think I ran over his bike and stole his god dam lollipop or SOMETHING."

"He doesn't 'have a bike, and he's too old to be eating lollipops." Don could tell from that glare that his joke didn't help. His amber eyes blazing like flames as his hands braced on Don's desk.

"It's not funny, he was the one messing with my freaking hand like some brain dead idiot, and I'm the bad guy for LETTTING him then smiling at him." A giant laugh filled the air before his desk hit the back wall with a shove, "DAMN IT."

Donnie glanced back to the door to ensure Leo wasn't coming in for a shouting contest. But he seemed too occupied with taking care of Mini-him.

He had to be careful

Last thing he needed was to enrage Raph

"Do you know what an I.Q is?"

Raph turned from the table, frowning, "Why hell wouldn't I? Are you saying I don't 'have one?!"

"No. But you know it is the measurement of intelligence. And in the same way, an E.Q is the emotional equivalent of it. It measures the emotional intelligence of a person." he probably deserved that weird look Raph was giving him, as though trying to decide whether or not to do anything, he came closer, taking the chair the rolley chair to his left and shoved it forward before taking his own.

Something he had desperately wanted someone to do for him

"People with high I.Q's are gifted, that's given. In whatever way it shows. But there's an 'emotional' part of it. A lack of ability to 'translate' the world or people around him. It's why he had no friends growing up and why his best friend-" he paused, he didn't want to say anything to upset his big brother, "Was so determined to protect him. It's why he's had such a hard time connecting and settling in here. Leo might not realize it, but its Leo wants to stick to him so bad. I didn't really even notice it until Mini-me was sick, remember?" Man he wanted something to drink he didn't even have a chance to have coffee yet," Leo was sitting with him because he thought little Don might have a seizure from his temperature. He let little Don lay his head on his lap while he was reading. But his fever was making him so uncomfortable he couldn't sleep. But when I came in to give him medicine I saw that Leo was letting Mini me hold his hand, but he wasn't just holding it. He messed with it for hours. I don't even think Leo notices it anymore. But when I first started talking to Half-shell .He was teaching me about medicine but after a while when I was studying his 'anatomy' drawings he started doing it with my hand too. I didn't' think there was a correlation until I realized that Master Splinter had been watching TV at the time. As soon as he came in the room, the kid was shaking like crazy till he started messing with my hand."

"Yer sounding like a bit of a stalker Don."

Was that ALL he as getting from it? "Raph, that 'weird hand thing' helps him deal with other people. He doesn't do it when he's 'bored'. It helps him deal with people he wants to connect with; it's the only way he knows how."

"You know that sounds stupid right?"

Ooofff course, "I know, but it's true. Don't forget me and him are the same person but from different dimensions, "he paused, "and heights."

Raph glared over at him again before standing up, both of his hands on the back of his head with a loud groan. Don knew he could tackle his brother to the ground if he made his way to the door. But he knew the odds weren't in his favor. His hotheaded brother turned back a look in his eyes that was almost strange, "You never did weird things like that."

"You just didn't notice." He honestly didn't want to explain, but he knew Raph. If he didn't explain now he'd never get to it, and Raph would never leave him alone, "Look, I never said it but it was hard when I was little ok? I was a freaking genius amongst you guys. You three could relate to each other on a level I couldn't. No matter if Mikey ate paste, Leo was obsessed with training, or if you kept breaking rock with bricks all day." Don alteast liked the fact he had earned a quick smile from Raph. Then again, he could be thinking about how much he missed breaking rocks with bricks, "I didn't know how to interact with you. At the time was messing and tinkering with small stuff and I honestly felt like an alien amongst you guys. But when I started building toys I saw the way you guys smiled and it made me want to do more. I spent all my time making toys for you guys."

"That explains you almost dying over a freaking remote control racecar. "

Like he need reminding. But he knew Raph was stalling for an actual response. He crossed his arms and stared at his older brother till Raph's lip curled and he turned his head away for a moment, "Shit." Don wasn't sure when Raph started cussing so much, but maybe it was a rebellious phase, "Ok so why did he freak out so bad when he saw it was my hand?"

"Cause he thought it was my hand, or maybe even Leo's hand. And he was too tired to realize otherwise till he actually looked at the person. He's shy enough as it is." he honestly didn't think that bringing up Don's own Raphael would help at all. Atleast this was Raph wouldn't feel alienated.

"You know I didn't mean to scream at him right?'

There, "I know bro. and I know he didn't mean to enrage you. It was no one's fault."

Raph smiled weakly. It was nice to know Don still knew how to cheer him up, but it faded as Raph looked back towards the door, "I just hated the idea of a kid being scared of me."

That was understandable, memories of intercepted muggings, that old lady who they had saved from the Triceratons, almost anytime they failed to blend into the shadows and had their faces revealed was always met with horrified screams.

It was hard to feel like a monster especially around someone who looked just like them.

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Leo's hand was almost numb from running over Little Don's scalp so many times, his arms wrapped tightly around him. It was worth to feel the young ones face in his shoulder, his shaking all but gone.

He was grateful that Don had gone to comfort and or talk to Raph. Leo looked down to the child bundled into side. But he could feel the young one's weight lean more against him in a way he recognized. Leo gave him a quick squeeze to draw his eyes back up to him, "Do you want to lay down?"

"N-not really."

"Not even for a little bit? "

Only an idiot wouldn't know what Leo was hinting out. Donnie probably would have glared at him if he wasn't so tired.

And he really was tired

Despite everything he wanted to say, he leaned his head over to rest on Leos' shoulder. The arm tightening around it helped lift him to his feet, past the obnoxiously large television. From what he had read about the eyes, such a large and bright obnoxiousness should cause some sort of eye damage or something-

In the room Don sat down on the bed that was his while staying there. He honestly wanted to go back to the living room and do SOMETHING. But the push on his shoulder made him lay on his side, feet up on the bed and eyes going back to the kame sitting on the edge of the bed.

Leo's eyes were soft as ever. A smile that always made his chest pains of panic go away in a way that only a big brother could. His hand going up to run across his scalp, but Donnie knew he was just trying to get all the dust off his scalp to keep it from getting in his lungs.

This Leo was almost as motherly as his Leo.

"I almost forgot. Master Splinter has your clothes now, he said he wants to repair your clothes. So you might get your clothes back soon."

"O-oh." a cold tremble went through his chest, "o-ok."

"You don't have to worry; I know being around him makes you nervous. But won't it be nice to be in your own clothes?"

That would be nice. To be drowned in his fabric, to feel the stitches his family had put into it. To feel his mother's seal in the collar of it. If only to make him feel safe.

Especially if Leonardo said so

"Trust me on this ok?"

"Ok." he really did trust Leo. His answer earning him a smile from his 'Taisho' and a hand caressing his face. Don's hand reached up to take his squeezing it with a smile

"That's my Halfshell. Think of it this way, when you get home you're going to have so many stories to tell your Kuma-ni. He might not even be able to believe you"

Don smiled and nodded before nuzzling the pillow under his head and tucked his beak back under his Aniki's scarf, a blanket pulled back over his body and fingers trailing down his face marked Leo's exit.

Maybe a little sleep wouldn't hurt.'

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"He's ok right?"

Leo glanced around from the door and to his youngest brother. He could never claim his brothers were emotionless, but Raph's emotions tended to be more 'passionate' so when he was mad he was FURIOUS' and when he was happy he COOL HAPPY. So compared to the oldest brothers, Mikey and Don were definitely more 'concerned' maybe that was the characteristics that gave them the role of the 'youngest' brothers.

Leo never wanted to see Mikey's' eyes turn cold

"He's alright, he's a bit shaken, it doesn't help he's as homesick as crazy."

"I bet." His eyes glanced behind Leo again to the door. Leo reached and wrapped his arm around Mikey's shoulder to squeeze tightly to his side. Guiding him away from the door and back into the Living room, "Mikey, I promised Donnie I'd go with him to see April. She's been having some house troubles and I don't want him going alone. I thought Halfshell would be ok here, but after what happened with Raph I don't want them around each other. Can I depend on you to look out for him? "

Mikey's' face lit up form ear to ear in a way that almost made Leo feel nervous, "yeah sure! I haven't been able to hang out with him yet anyway!"

"Just remember he's still a little, "Leo paused, lining his fingers up together palm first in a prayer before spreading his fingers and tilting his hands downward, " nervous about being here."

"Hey I was voted the most charismatic turtle! And the friendliest, AND the handsomest-"

"You mean in that contest only YOU were allowed to vote in." Leo grinned his palm going up to rub against Mikey's scalp before yanking back on his mask. Mikey's hand shot up and slapped his hand away with a loud laugh. Shoving hard on his side and sending him sliding away. Mikey's' face bright and happy. The smile started to slide off his face, his hands going back up to rest on his shoulders squeezing them tightly as possible, "I'm counting on you Mikey."

"Course you're counting on me. And you have no reason to doubt me. I'll just give him about ten slices of pizza and a slushie."

"Mikey."

"Ok ok FIVE pieces of pizza."

"Mikey!"

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Don didn't fear alot of things. He hadn't feared death when he was locked in the Sohei walls with others infected with the Red River Virus, he had treated criminals who had no problem describing the horrible ways they were going to kill him once they found freedom. Though he just blamed it on the intense fever they were suffering. In this moment, riding on a large horse he barely had control over. His weak hands squeezing the reins and his legs were already numb. There was no doubt everyone knew of his stunt now, he didn't even want to think about the rage when they found him. But Donnie knew better

He knew his brother was out there somewhere

And all those summers he, his mother and Raph had spent traveling around, and all those boring hours Raph had spent talking about his 'tracking skills' and not letting Don return to camp until he proved his skills worthy.

This was the only time those cold numbing boringness came in handy. His eyes going down to the ground as he rode forward, fighting the trembles shooting up and down his arms in a nauseating manner. His legs struggling to squeeze the horses' sides.

Slowly his vision began to blur over, the night sky blending with the dark green forest. Don shot his arm up over his eyes, his world tilting around him. Before he could react, his body hit the hard cold ground arms going up tot protect his head. He wasn't even sure if the hors was still there but his stomach began toheave uncontrollably. Barely giving Don time to get on up his knees before the liquid in his stomach began to heave onto the ground beneath his hands

"DONATELLO!"

Oh Sprits no. The trembling returned through his bones, a wild untamed part of his mind told him to run. To get the horse back and run but a hand grabbed his shoulder flipping him onto his shell and holding him in thin arms, "My son, bless the spirits, I found you."

Nonoon this was wrong all wrong. His hands pressed weakly against Master Splinters chest with weak raspy breaths. But the arms wrapped tighter around him, "Please my child calm yourself. I spent all night looking for you. You could have killed yourself pushing your body like that."

That excuse, that freaking excuse he always heard and sent a growl to his lips, "O'nt care. My Little Brother is OUT there and I need to find him."

"This is no way to find your brother Donatello, this was FOOLISH borderline stupid-" the reign of angry words suddenly fell, The arms around him tightening around him, one of the hands disappearing. For a horrid moment Donatello thought his father was about to strike him till he forced his eye lids open, barely seeing 3 toed feet just next to them. and the subsequent noes that no doubetly formed a ring around them

Komori ninjas

"Give it up rat," a voice was harsh. It was also the closest ones, "Drop the knife, "

"Over your body, komori." Don wasn't even sure he knew his father was capable of such a deep intimidatingvoice. Taking a moment to revel in the guilt when he thought his father would strike him,

"It wouldn't be over your body rat. It would be over the body of your obviously ill kame child. You do not wish for him to die do you?"

Don could feel a growl course through his father's body. Even through the hand that had come up to rest on his scalp before a sigh fell from his father's lips and something hit the ground next to them. The komori moving closer.

Maybe they were the ones who had Mikey

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Something poked into his cheek. At first he thought it was a the echoes of his dream, so he pulled his face back around and nuzzled his beak back into his scarf. A faint squeaking sound reached him but he ignored it. Life in the sewers offered so many weird noises including the hectic sound of the so cold 'train' on metal tracks' that often had him falling out of bed in panic. So the fact this one was so small meant nothing to him or would interrupt his sleep.

His face was poked again, his lips drawing back in annoyance as he waved his hand in front of his beak. But the sound returned, it was a bit more discernable this time, almost like giggles? Giggles from someone who was far too old and masculine for such a sound

Slowly, nervously, Don peeled his eye lid back, the world fuzzed but the green shape of a creature was not two earth inches from his face, a bright smile and a outstretched finger still pressed into his face.

"Mmmoorrrnnniiinnngg."

Don's hand slid up and pushed the hand away before pulling the blanket back over his beak. Maybe if he ignored the giggling he could get back to sleep.

"Hey nonoooononono-" a hand shook his head, not his shoulder where it wouldn't of been early as uncomfortable, but a entire palm pressing over his face and shaking his head around, ' Wake up wake up! Or I'll keep poking you in the dimples!

What did dimples have anything to do with it? Don opened his eye again. It was kind of weird to see someone so tall , atleast taller then him, with such big muscles but still bore the unmistakable Mikey characteristics. Including the freckles, and the bright smile.

No one could ever say no to Mikey's smile

Don pressed his face into the blanket to revel in the blissful aroma of his sleep before sitting up, his palm rubbing his bare itchy eyes. The strange squeaking started up again, He glanced over to Mikey in time to see him with both fists bundled up under his wide unrelenting smile, "Sorry, you have such a cute tired face."

A cute tired face? Don fought the urge to kick the orange masked turtle off the med and crawl back under his blankets. But the odds of sending a turtle 5 years older and undoubtedly taller then him flying off the bed was almost delusional. So instead he glared at Mikey and snatched his mask off the nightstand and tied it over his eyes.

"Ok let's go!"

Before Donnie could react something shot over his wrist, a normally gentle tug sent pain shooting up his arm. A shout to pain flew from his wrist as his free hand slapped the grip on his wrist away. Yanking it to his chest with barely another thought

"Whoa hey!" Mikey's' hands flew up in a surrender. Don was almost satisfied to see the alarm on his face, if not for the pain throbbing down through his entire arm and through his fingers. He tried to flex but regretted it

"I-I'm sorry." Mikey's voice certainly sound remorseful. But Don kept focused on his arms. Allowing the Sohei energy to flow through his arm. Though naked to anyone but his trained 'Sohei trained' eye, he could faintly see the mist of white steam rising up. When he had described it to his beggaring little brother, who had been more than a little dismayed he couldn't' see it. Don described it as his own technique eh had discovered a few months after his 'taken' top help soothe the pain the wrists.

But he knew they would never heal right

"I really am sorry? Did I hurt you?" Don wanted to ignore the older version of his little brother. But he found his eyes going up from his flexing fist.

OH Spirits

If his Mikey was the expert of sad eyes, then this Mikey was the master. Complete with dipped head, bottom lip and sad eyes. He wasn't' even sure when he had started sitting on the edge of the bed

Don shook his head before looking down to his hand again. He pointed to his wrist and made sure he had Mikeys' eye contact. He tapped his wrist again and shook his head before pointing to his hand, reaching out and taking Mikeys' and giving it a small squeeze,

"Ok so hands ok, wrist is bad?"

Correct, he nodded but before Don could even think, he was drug out of bed onto wobbling legs with Mikey smiling brightly, "Come on it'll be fun!"

Why did the spirits hate him?

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Leo glanced around the street, normally a well-lit part of town made him nervous. But he knew better now, April lived in a part of town that was plagued by older people. So even if they DID get seen, the chances of the being seen by eyes younger than 80 without any visual impairment was lowered.

He was almost 70% sure he could of walked down the street for years and have no one see him or his brothers here.

"You coming in Leo?"

Oh right, Leo looked back into the window at the red head smiling at him, "Yeah sorry." Leo took a hold of the top of th window to slide in. Hey unusually large apartment bathed in dim lights and a kettle hissed on the stove, "Casey's visiting his mom right?"

"Right, Don's already downstairs. I really appreciate having your guys' help."

"Hey, if you have ninja turtles on speed dial you should use them." He smiled before closing the window after him. Noticing a pharmaceutical bag on the counter and walked on over, "Hey, did you refill Don's inhalers?"

"Yeah, he said his backups were even running low. You know how he is."

"More then most." Leo almost shook his head. He wanted to claim that, if he had asthma, he would never be as careless as his brother was. But he probably would have been worse. He also knew that Little Don was even worse then Donatello, Leo opened the bag and looked inside, 1,2,3,4- huh? "Did you get him a new inhaler?"

"Nope, I got little Don one."

Huh? Leo looked back around, "Why?"

"He might be here a while, I know your system is working now but it might help his 'attacks from being so severe. "

"Thank you." he meant it. He even meant it for the tea that April was now pouring. The new inhaler stuck out stakingly amongst the other worn ones covered in faded stickers. Leo reached in and drew out the new inhaler. It was nice of April to get it purple, if only a lighter shade. It was easy to see which inhaler was designated to each turtle; Original Don's was covered in layers of stickers that had been on there since he was a child. Raph's designated inhaler was red and was the best kept, other than Leos, Mikey's' was orange and covered in tiny little worn marker drawings. Little skulls, peace signs, and the Silver Sentry logo. Splinters was the most plain looking one.

Leos' was blue, tiny Japanese symbols marked over it for luck and prosperity. Anything to give them a edge. A much needed edge, he rolled the new one over before leaning his head over to glance around it till he noticed a new sticker on it, a small smiley face. Leo looked back up to April who was pouring him a cup, "A smiley face sticker/"

"I can't imagine he smiles too much since getting here. I just want to remind him to." April smiled, as though reflecting her sentence, moving over to sit down, "Relax Leo."

"Sorry." he moved down too, taking up the mug and sipping out of the mug, "I guess I'm just nervous for him."

"Which is why I made the tea." she tapped the mug he held. Leo didn't' have favorites, but he defiantly liked the mug April had marked' his' for when he came over. Mostly because of the tiny black cranes pained on the sides.

"Thank you." he sipped it again. If April had any skills that rivalled her genius, it was her tea making skills. Though he hardly ever had the opportunity to taste it. The balance of leaves and a strange mixture of spices was almost heaven. If only she wasn't as caffeine addicted as D-

Wait

April never made tea. She made coffee, she LOVED coffee. She only made tea when she absolutely had no choice. Aka, the last time she had a cold, or the flu.

she never made tea

She always took care of her own repairs.

Leo drew in a slow breath. Fighting the voice of Little Don in his head. Trying to convince him of his friends state. Of something he that was impossible, Of the looser clothes she was wearing, the careful change in diet. He put the mug back on the table, trying to hide the quiver of his fingers and sweat building up on his palm. "Um, April?"

"Yeah?"

"You don't…want any coffee? Isn't it almost time for you to work?"

"I'm trying to cut out coffee, besides tea is better for you." she sipped the mug with a smile. Uh huh. Leo had tried to make that argument so many times with Don. , "Why are you asking?"

"You have more than enough skill for repairs. You trying ot take it easy?"

"Isn't that what you and the others try to tell me to do?" she wasn't' stupid. Leo knew she was planning circles around him. Her eyes looking straight on him, But there was one thing she couldn't avoid

The flat out question

The question that could cause either uncontrolled yelling or uncontrolled hitting. So he picked up his mug again and took a sip from it. Thankful his form of liquid courage didn't come in alcoholic form. Slowly reaching his hand out to April's resting arm. Drawing blue eyes up to his with a head tilt of curiosity. Before Leo took a deep breath and asked the question NO ONE wanted him to ask

"Are you pregnant?"

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Donatello didn't' like a lot of things in the 'new world' he had discovered. He didn't like that almost every food he had been offered was covered in a layer of yellow expired dairy products. He didn't' like the fact he couldn't step in the direction of the door without Either Donatello or Leonardo running over and asking 'Whatchu doing?'

He wasn't even sure what "whatchu' meant

Even if he did get outside where was he supposed to go? Honestly? To the surface to get hit by a car? To a restaurant to eat 'fried potatoes' that made his stomach upset? Or find more of those nudey magazines that had mysteriously disappeared from his form when he had woken up in the "Lair."

But this abomination was the worst invention

It was instable and idiotic. Who ever thought of attaching circular component that is intended to rotate on an axial bearing plane to a wooden board and be expected to ride it!?

Then again, maybe it was the idiot for letting Michelangelo strap him with pads, similar to the ones he had sewn for his little brother, only made out of that cheap material he didn't' like. Don especially didn't like the weird 'helmet with a strap under his chin but did appreciate its effectiveness as he lay on the ground dazed from his latest fall

And it made his tail sore

Hands went his armpits, a laugh in his ears, "dude you suck at skateboarding." as he was lifted back up to his feet. AND he wanted to point out the VERY obvious fact that he never said he WANTED to skate on boards. HE wanted to read. Spirits his tail hurt, Don reached back to rub in sympathetically,

"Dude I know, I wish they'd invent ass pads."

Ass pads? If Don had learned anything from his experience, it was that creatures in his world had gained a advantage over those of most in his world. Something that was normally only obtained by those of the wealthy. He wouldn't say that these turtles were 'lazy' but they had a advantage he and his people did not. The advantage to sit around and allow fat to build up on the area meting the cushion

Bigger asses

Donnie reached up and worked on the clip, undoing the strap under his chin and holding the helmet out to Mikey with a knowing look on his face "Ok so you don't like skate boarding. " Mikey laughed, taking it, "Too bad, this was my lucky helmet."

Lucky for who? Don sat on the chair and started to work on the straps around his knees and elbows. Trying not to look up. There was no doubt Mikey would be disheartened. He would be, atleast Mikey was trying to let him have fun. Or atleast MOVE. He couldn't remember the last time he could walk to the bathroom without some harassing him about 'moving too much'

A hand rubbed his scalp lightly; "I'll be right back stay." by the time Don raised his head again. Mikey's' form disappearing up the hallway and to the door closest to the kitchen. Is that where his room was? That didn't make sense, or maybe it did. Michelangelo did like cooking-

Something flashed in the corner of his eye. Drawing his attention to the table and to 'lap computer' Don had showed him, its screen was bouncing an image to each corner of a strange blue 'phone box' looking thing, but it looked like it said 'police box'. Oh well, it wasn't supposed to be doing that. That's what Don had told him, was it 'resting'? Don glanced in the direction that Mikey had gone before knee up and sitting at the table, how was he supposed to 'awaken' it again? If he did that he could turn it off. Right? He was sure his older self would appreciate it.

Don looked over the keyboard, recognizing the letters of the English alphabet, and some of the letters. But some of the other letters he didn't recognize, except for the 'dots'. No those were periods….spirits this was a messed up design. He waved his fingers over the key board for a moment before tapping the 'enter' key-

The screen flashed for a moment, the 'blue box for police' changing over to a image of giant naked humans with rather stupid look on their faces, in some sort of 'his age' European town and smaller dressed humans were running away from them. But it was frozen, and it looked like it was DRAWN. Don leaned in closer with a frown, and it LOOKED like the giant humans were lacking external sexual organs necessary for procreation. He looked down at the laptop again, how was he supposed to get the image to go away? Why was Raphael watching something so gross?! Actually, he didn't want to think why Raphael had been watching giant naked humans chasing smaller clothed humans-

He didn't keep track of his elbow, so when it hit the 'p button' and set the image into motion with the sounds of screaming people . Despite the initial having his foot caught in his chair, he flew out of his seat and to a standing position, hands over his ears, "What the hell!?" he snapped to the screen before he saw one of the giant humans snatch up the smaller one," What are you doing!?" Donnie demanded, hurrying back over to the screen, tilting the screen up further just in time to see one of the smaller humans hanging from the giant nudists mouth, Don jumped back again with a shout of panic, " WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT!? GET IT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!' he slapped the keyboard again, "STOP IT STOP IT! THAT COULD BE SOMEONES MOTHER!' But no matter how incessant his slapping, the carnage of giant nudist humans eating slammer ones continued.

Don held his breath, for some reason, and picked up the lap computer, turning it away from him. But not before another tiny human was smashed in the jaws of a giant. Looking around the room frantically, running to the couch and flipping the couch cushions, no not enough space before running to the center to the room again. The echoes of screaming tiny people as his eyes bounced around the room .Dons eyes fell on the box that freezes on the fridge

If he couldn't turn off the abomination

HE'D GET RID OF IT

He hurried over to the icebox and pulled the upper smaller shelf open. Cold wind struck his face as he ducked his head down, box that freezes INDEED. Don slammed the computer lap shut and slammed it into the smaller space and closed the door.

It took him several seconds for him for his breathing so slow and his heartbeat to stop pounding in his head. During which he did nothing but stare at the door, knowing on the other side laid an evil of nude cannibalism he hoped never to see again. His hand going up to slap the door with a satisfying slap, "You just stay there….and THINK about what you did!"

"Lil Don?"

Don froze for a few seconds before turning and seeing the older orange ninja standing just in the doorway of his room. Brows uneven and a look on his face that claimed insanity on the viewer and something sticking out of the belt. Donnie looked from the freezer to him before smiling, "Konichiwa."

The expression on Mikey's' face lit up, he charged into the kitchen in such dizzying speed he almost fell over again if not for the chair located behind him, "I've never heard you talk before! And you have a freaking cracking Kraken 'mid puberty' stuck voice! AND YOU SAID KONICHIWA WITH AN ACCENT!' I'm getting Donnie, my Donnie, to pull that from the security footage cause THAT is my new ringtone!"

Ringtone?! He almost wished he hadn't said anything; he wasn't even sure what that was except when Mikey rushed him he had inexplicably thrown his arms over his head and ducked down. Peering out between his arms with a wide panicked look his eyes.

Luckily Mikey seemed to get the picture, taking several breaths before sitting down on the other chair, "sorry I get excited easily, can't help it."

"I-Its ok." though that flare up his in his eyes said how much Mikey had killed his excitement, "I-I have a hard enough time talking to people at home, s-so it-its not y-y-our fault." op, here came the flare again. That was definitely excitement and EXACTLY what big Mikey wanted to hear. The older reached back into his belt, "Shell I forgot."

"F-forgot what?"

"I got this for you weeks ago when you first arrived." He pulled out something cloth and dark purple, fingering it for a moment before smiling, "I thought you'd like having a small souvenir from your stay in the greatest city on earth."

Don hesitated, looking from the cloth to Mikey before reaching forward and taking it tentatively in his hands. It was definitely made of wool; it appeared to be made in some sort of circular motion with a bump in the top. The front of it held a small insignia, but he could see three distinct letters

N.Y.C.

He ran his hand over the fabric, tightness in his throat that almost made him choke but he breathed in slowly before nodding, "Thank you Mikey."

"I knew you'd like it! Raph said it was dumb but I'm the gifting MASTER."

"A Master? REALLY?" Don smiled lightly before moving the cloth around again ,"Wh-what do I do with it?"

"You wear it silly!" Mikey took the cloth in his hands before reaching forward.; Don leaned his head down and let the cloth be pulled over his scalp. He could feel the edges of it being pulled down the sides of his ead and almost reaching his jawline. It really was warm though,

"Awwwwwwww you're freaking adorable you know that?! Is little me as cute?!"

"I'm not sure how to respond to that, but all the women seem to think so."

"Ahaha, so I'm popular with the llaaddiiieess." Mikey leaned back in his chair, "A little charmer I am?"

"A little 'you're thirteen' and all the Mom's like kissing you on the scalp and giving you sweets." The older orange masked turtle paused for a moment before taping his chin and smiling

"What I hear is, 'I'm always getting kissed by the ladies, and they buy me stuff."

Maybe Mikey didn't get their life style in Feudal Japan or he was a optimist, but he just shook his head. There was no point in ruining it for him. Mikey's face suddenly lit up again his hand slapped against the table , "I'LL BE RIGHT BACK!" before jumping over his own chair and back towards his room giving Don a wide smile before disappearing behind his door.

Donnie pulled his hat further down on his scalp before smiling. It really was a warm hat, if anything he might have to share it with his Mikey. He leaned his head down on the table and ran his finger down the wooden surface for a few moments,

A heavy set of footsteps rang across the metal floor, pausing for a moment. Lacking the 'beat' that Mikey's had he sat up in alarm before turning around to see Raphael standing by the fridge. A plastic bottle of red juice in his hand, "Calm down kid I'm just getting some Gatorade. I aint gonna scream at you."

Oh, Don lowered his gaze back down to the table. Atleast he knew that Raphael felt bad for what he did. Donnie knew he did. He glanced back up for a moment to say something before his head dropped back down. More than anything Don wanted to apologize, he knew how bad guilt felt. And he didn't' want any version of his Kuma-ni to feel it.

His eyes fell over to the piece cup of water sitting on the table, glancing up to Raph's turned back before dipping his finger in the water, even with it being his 5th language, he wrote "I'm sorry." upside down he wondered for a moment how he was going to get Raph's attention when the large turtle turned around, some sort of 'cookie' hanging from his teeth. Giving him a 'what?' look before his eyes fell on the table and looking back up. Shaking his head lightly, Don almost thought he had done the wrong thing till Raph reached up and took the cookie out of his mouth, "You aint got nothing to apologize for kiddo. I was the one who screamed at you. I thought you were scared of me. I wouldn't' blame you if you were."

NO why would he think that!? He could have been surrounded by a hundred Raphael's from a hundred universe's but he could never fear anything that looked like his Kuma-ni. Before he could stop himself he was already on his feet and rounding the table, his arm tight around Raphael's' chest. The turtle he was hugging stiffened like a board, he could even feel him swerve his head from side to side as though looking for something, or someone, so save him. But slowly he felt Raphael sigh lightly, something pressing against his shell in the form of a palm. "'appreciate the forgiveness. Not everyone coulda done that. It took cajones."

Cajones? Don wasn't sure what that was, and he didn't want to know. A warm embrace that was the closest thing to familiar he had seen in a month. But standing in a world that terrified him, -

"How do you know this symbol?"

The old voice, soft and aged with time and so close to his ear, struck horror down his spine. His hands shot up to shove him away from the chest holding him close. Stumbling back till his foot got caught on something in the floor sending him flying back, bouncing so harshly off his shell his body spun a few feet till he flipped onto his knees and slammed his palms down. The world spinning around which was pretty impressive since the floor was all a solid color.

A clawed hand grabbed his arm, almost sending him back in panic if his shell hadn't' slammed into the 'cabinets'. He wasn't even sure how such a old rat could move so fast but was now at his side, his purple samue in his hands. Don wasn't' even sure if Splinter had realized he was the source of his horror. But his dark eyes held emotion that Donnie didn't recognize, Splinters hands held open the torn collar to the small sewn symbol, a half crescent moon. The tips of the crescent coming together to make a right angle, "Is this your mother's family crest? IS THIS YOUR FAMILY CREST?"

Don flinched, his head turning away as pressed his foot against the ground to push himself back further. His head cracking against the cupboard, arms shooting up over his head. It wasn't' his strongest reaction, but if he had any control of his legs, he probably would of ended up under the couch again. Shaking uncontrollably. the world becoming muffled noise around him, indiscernible and almost numb to his body. Hands pressing against the side of his head as he squeezed his eyes shut

go away Go away Go Away GO AWAY

Hands grabbed Don's, yanking so hard he went flying from his spot. Somehow flipping him so his shell met the chest of his attacker. Before he could react, the hands forced his away from body. A cry of panic shot from his lips.

"CALM DOWN!"

Spirits did he have to yell in his ear?! Especially Raph, he screamed like a demon, "Mikey get the breathing thing!"

Breathing thing? Was he panicking? He tried to suck in a breath only to stop in his throat, harsh cough escaping his lips-. A familiar plastic mask was put over his mouth and cold air flowing through his airway. Don swallowed deep gulps of air so quickly his throat stung. A hand hooked around his shoulders, pulling him close against a chest. Don wasn't sure how someone could have such a good grip on his hands and in him. A hand stroking the back of his neck before resting there, pressing his head closer against a bare plastron

"Is he ok? He's ok right?" that was Michelangelo, he was supposed to be the one who got the oxygen machine, so Don wasn't sure why he felt so surprised, "I-I mean he was so scared, he could barely breath." The hand holding him close tightened, it was only then he noticed the arm also wrapped around his chest. Were they tangled up somehow?

"Are you awake kid?"

Don nodded forcing his eyes open. The part of his sight that wasn't obscured by plastron showed Mikey was right in front of him. There were paper books lying everywhere on the floor. Looking down he could see his arms forced into half angles. One of those hands were Mikey's, the one facing him, the arm trapped was barely mobile as it was. They had probably changed around to make him more comfortable.

But there was no doubt who was holding him so tightly

That was Raphael. With his hand on the back of his head, and a arm wrapped around his shell and keeping him in place. But it wasn't a constrictive hold, or painful. Even so he moved around in a small squirm. But the arm around him tighten, "L-"His tongue felt thick and uncontrollably, "Pl-please le-let me go-"

"Why did you try and hurt yourself?"

Donnie blinked in horror, no. He really hadn't tried had he? He tried to convince himself otherwise, fighting the panic rising in him. Not sure if it came from being held against his will or the fact someone other than his family had seen him in one of his darkest traits, "I-I'm sorry-'

"I'm not ASKING for a apology." definitely enraged. And defiantly painful on his ears, "why the hell would you want to hurt yourself?! I thought you were SMART-"

"I-I," all explanations were stuck in his throat. Every excuse, everything he didn't want to say that was demanded of him. Spirits, he-

He felt the grip on his left hand disappeared, drawing his attention back to Mikey, a hand rubbing his scalp, "Its ok Mini Don."

"MIKEY-"

"He didn't do it on purpose Raph. Look at him he's about to freaking cry, "WAS NOT! "You really want to be the ass who made a kid CRY."

Why was the fact he was a kid such a big deal?' But atleast Raph had stopped screaming at him, but he couldn't see Raph's face anyway-

The grip around his shell tightened before sliding up to his shoulders pushing him away till he found himself looking into amber eyes so similar to his own brothers. They even had the same veins in their eyes that popped out in anger

"Promise me you'll NEVER try that again."

Spirits they even said the same thing. The whole time he had been in this world, he had religiously avoided Raphael. More than Donatello, more than the horrible smelling pig skinned humans. More then even Master Splinter whose very presence made him go back into a state of mind he hadn't been in in 2 years.

His eyes burned in a mixture of shame and tears as his head dipped down and nodded.

How many times had Donnie promised his big brother that? More times than he had failed at it. he didn't want to fall back to that state of mind. TO have no control of himself or his surroundings. The arm wrapped back around his shoulders and hugged his face back into Raph's plastron, his other arm wrapping around him and holding him as tight as possible. Don could have even sworn he felt Raphs hand slide up to rest on the back of his scalp.

If Don didn't know any better He could of sworn Raph was trying to apologize.

The part of Don that claimed his matureness, claimed that he didn't need his Kuma-ni to follow him or hound his every move. But the part of him that was homesick, that wanted nothing to run home and be held by his brothers for hours. To be with his family and never have to suffer through the insecurity of knowing he could never see them again.

Don closed his eyes and pressed his face into his 'copy' brother's chest. Tears running down his face as he tried to keep his sobs soft and unnoticeable

What he couldn't ignore was the hand gently stroking the back of his head, or the gentle murmurs in his ears

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Don's chest expanded and lowed painfully there was a tight grip around his shell and something pressing into his stomach. His limbs were too heavy for him to move, and he could feel his face bounce off of a back. "Be gentle with him." Came a snap. Master Splinter? Oh right, he had followed Don there. he was obviously talking to the person carrying them over his shoulder

"Shut up rat, you're lucky we didn't just leave him behind." what a harsh voice. The arm around his stomach tightened. He could just feel something leathery brush against the side of his head

Wings

Komori ninja

When had that happened? He remembered falling off the horse but that was it. Wait, Splinter had come after that. Atleast he didn't forget too much. But he could remember the voices around them. The ninja. Don shifted around, if only to awaken himself up when the arm around his shell tightened uncomfortably, "STILL kame."

Still? Was he telling Don to stop moving? To stay still? Or was he reminding him he was STILL a kame. Odds were it was the first one; in that case Don was more than willing to apply. It wasn't like he could anyway. Judging from his hearing, he could hear several more footsteps around them. 5 pairs of feet and the clip of horseshoes, 5 ninja. 6 if you included Splinter, but they weren't on the same side.

The sound of hushed voices reached him. They fell from above like rain. They had to be at the Komori camp, only they would hide in the trees like that. He could just hear their wings opening and closing in pattern. Restlessness.

The snapping of leather filled the air, something hit the ground just in front of him, something smaller next to it but hit the ground more clumsily. As though unused to the impact of a fall, "Akira, what are you doing?"

"We found them while searching for food. The boy at least is related to the orange kame we already have."

Orange-

Don's eyes shot open, though the world was still blurred around him and covered with the black clothing of ninja garb, he pushed hard, twisting his body around. The arm tightened even more, but Don's foot finally shot up and caught him in the hip. The komori known Ai suddenly cried out with the shout of ,"GAKI!", his body hitting the hard ground , following Ai's his arms almost sent him falling on his face, if not for Master Splinter catching him around the face. But he could see the form of a large komori, taller than the ones he had seen, broader, older.

But he didn't care,

"Where's my brother?!" He shouted to the Komori, "My little brother, where is he-"

"FOOLISH!" Ai sounded like he was having trouble using his hip, "BRAT! I"LL SLIT YOUR BELLY-"

"Jūbun'na!"

The komori known as Ai stopped moving. Don squeezed his eyes shut, trying ot ignore the situation before rubbing his eyelids frantically and forcing htem open again.

The world began to clear up, the Komori who shouted the command coming to contrast. His body was thicker then the other komori he had seen, and his wings were even larger. His body clothed in the same black material as the others. But his hair was tied back in a perfect long pony tail, grey streaked against black. The ninja next to him was almost identical, save for the hair difference of pure black and the black cloth tied around his forehead. the other Komori was definatley thinner but taller then the grayhaired Komori

" I never thought you a child, Ai. But if you are to lose your anger to quickly to one, then perhaps you would like to wrestle in the dirt? Would that quench your immaturity?"

The loud growl behind him almost shook his bones. It could have rivaled Raphs growls. Something sounding like a fist slammed into the ground. Obviously his answer

"Good, Dansei wa, kieru."

Within unison, the wings flew open around them, Shooting up and disappearing into the trees .Don could barely see them in the night. But their sounds didn't lie-

The taller komori stepped to the side, pushing forward a small figure, a thirteen year old whose bright orange yukata shone like a sore tail, even if he hadn't been wearing his orange mask. Especially when he finally saw him, all but running forward

"MIKEY!" Don rose up n his knee opening his arms in time to catch a incoming kame in his arms. All but tackling him to the ground. Sobs bursting from his brother not a second later. He could already feel tears staining his samue and shaking his thin body, "Its ok Mikey its ok" he whispered gently, running his hand up and down his neck, "its ok-"

"It has been a while Grandmaster Gorou."

Don looked up to see Splinter standing infront of his sons. He was actually a bit touched that Splinter trusted him with his brother. But more surprised that Splinter knew that Komori's name. He gently tucked his head down and pushed Mikey from his chest, taking a chance to take Mikey's; wrist, looking over them before checking for any other injury. Trying to ignore the painfully tearstained eyes and his trembling body

"I almost did not recognize you Hamoto Yoshi, last I saw you were younger. And not quite so crippled."

"Crippled and disadvantaged are two different things. Can I assume the komori my son killed was known to you?"

Uh oh

"He was one of my sons."

Don felt a painful shiver crawl up his spine, his arms going back around Mikey to hold him close. More than any ting else, he wanted his little brother naiveness in that moment. He wanted to be oblivious to the trepidations of their presence. Even with the smallest glance back up to the Komori clan Grandmaster, told him everything

He knew when a parent was after revenge

"You know what it means to have your family marked Hamoto-san. Be grateful I only marked your oldest son."

"I can see Komori cunning still knows no bounds." Don could practically feel the fire of Splinters words. And was grateful he was not on the end of them, "You were the ones who lured Akai to the Reddomedou Village. so that the samurai would be forced to leave and to leave the women and children defenseless. So you could aim for the youngest brother of Miyamoto Leonardo."

"You are as sharp as ever, I only wish I was as sharp to know he was your son."

"But this does not change your mind."

"You should know better Hamoto."

"My child is ILL Gorou. He needs to be back at the camp with his medicine. Not out here."

Great, now he was an excuse. But it was the only time he didn't mind.

"The one in purple?" there was almost a snort in his voice, "I agree he looks half dead, it was quite foolish of him to come out on his own. It would be even more foolish if you didn't leave with him in the next minute."

There was a pause,

"You would let me and my sons leave?"

"You and the purple one may go. But the orange one will stay."

Donnie could feel Mikey's' arms hug him tighter trembling. He shushed him gently before glaring back at the Komori Grandmaster. Though Splinters back was too him, he could see his hands start to shake in a rare spout of emotion, "His name is Michelangelo, and he is NOT staying with you."

"He is not in any danger, so long as you swear to go to Leonardo and tell him to meet us at the Raisuhowaito River Plunge in 2 days time. Think of it as a timed challenge. If he arrives, your son will be returned unharmed. If he refuses I will ASSURE you there will be consequences."

Don could feel Mikey sob softly. Don lowered his cheek to rest on his scalp for a moment. He knew his father, and he knew his body. Traveling by horse in such reckless speed wouldn't be good on his condition. Splinter could always leave Donnie behind as well, but his father would never risk that. He knew that, Mikey knew that, Splinter knew that. It was the only reason Splinter was even hesitation.

But there was another option

He held Mikey tighter to him, before kissing him on the scalp, "I love you Mikey." Mikey's eyes shot up in question before Don put his hands on Mikey's shoulders, using him as leverage to stand up, his knees shaking. Before stumbling forward, his knee giving out by his second step and sent him back down with a loud cracking of a fallen branch, he could feel Mikey's hands grab his with a panicked shout

But he had made up his mind,

"Take me instead."

The two Grandmasters turned their heads. Don almost thought they had forgotten they were physically there, though he was trying to forget Mikey's 'desperate tugs on his hand, "Don no! Please! I'll go-"

"NO. I will." it made sense, despite the shivers, he forced his eyes up past Splinters to meet Gorou's.

He had never met a Komori that was a ninja, his only experience were in Bandit Komori and , with a tremble of pain through his shoulders ,Akai Komori. But he refused to lower his eyes. A small smirk going across the Grandmaster's lips, "What logic is there in that? You are obviously ill."

"So if I have to go with Splinter then I'll only slow him down, guaranteeing he'll miss his deadline. If my little brother goes with him there's' no way he'll be late. ]And I can assure you, if that happens and you DO hurt Mikey you'll have the entire wrath of Murakami village on you. Unless that's' what you want."

Gorou's eyes looked him up and down, Don was grateful his father hadn't said anything but he knew his father had absolute horror on his face. And the fact he hadn't said anything told him everything.

They both knew this was the only way

"Very well. Hamoto Yoshi may leave with the orange child. The purple one is coming with us-"

"NO!" Don had almost forgotten that Mikey was there, except for the moment when Mikey's hands grabbed his, "Donnie you can't I'll stay! I will I promise, I won't cry I promise not to cry-"

"It's not up to you Mikey. You are LEAVING." Don yanked his arm away, looking back to Master Splinter.

He never doubted his father loved him, and in that moment, with his Hamoto Yoshi's eyes burning with regret with helplessness, he knew it further. Splinter moved past him, hand going down to grab Mikey's arm, "Come my son,"

"No PLEASE!" Mikey turned back around, tears flowing down his face, even as Splinter drug him closer to the horse, "I can't'! Don you can't do this! Not again! "

Don squeezed his eyes shut, trying to fight the tears burning in hit eyes and the trembling that kept him from standing. Forcing a smile on his face that Raph had given him so many times over the years. Even as the horse disappeared in to the darkness and he was left alone with creature of the night

"I'll be ok little brother."

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"Why the hell haven't you told Casey yet?!"

Maybe that wasn't the most delicate way to ask a woman why she hadn't told her husband and true love why she hadn't informed him of a pregnancy. That heavy glare from blue eyes said that April was NOT happy with Leo at that moment. But maybe he should have realized that when April had slapped him upside the head with her phone book. Leo rounded the table, "April you're having a baby HIS baby."

"Don't you think I know that!? Why do you think I'm eating freaking BRUSSEL SPOUTS.' she wave the bag , "Instead of drinking coffee?!"

"But, "Leo eyed the phone book on the table before re-rounding the table and out of arms reach, "Come on April. If you haven't told Casey then I KNOW you haven't been to a doctor. Tell me, what are you going to tell Casey when you go into labor?! You're out getting milk?!"

April looked around the room, hand braced on the table as she took several deep breaths. Leo was grateful that he had sent Donnie home already. The moment the genius turtle had walked in, Leo and April had both taken cue and put on bright smiles. No doubt alienating Don, but giving him permission to head home. But the second the window had closed, the yelling had started back up

And seeing one of his best friends in such distress was enough to quench his rage. Leo pinched the bridge between his eyes, forcing his breathing to slow and cool his boiling skin. Maybe this was how Raph felt all the time, "I"-I'm sorry April, I'm sorry I didn't mean to scream at you like that. I'm so sorry."

"D-ont be." her hand went up to her forehead, "I-I know I'm being stupid."

"Then why haven't you told anyone?" Leo came closer reaching up to take both her hands into his, "April, you're PREGNANT. It's a wonderful thing, you shouldn't' have to hide it. Especially from your family. Not only that, but this is CASEYS' baby so there's a good chance it has brain damage-"

Though a insensitive joke to Casey, it was worth it to see Aprils eye light up in the faintest of laughs. Her hand pulling of his long enough to wipe her eyes, "How-how did you even know?"

"Little Don is a Doctor back home. Apparently he specializes in, well everything, but he can tell a pregnant woman from a mile away."

"Isn't he only fourteen?"

"Yeah, it's sad that he's' so much younger then us but technically he's gotten further with a woman then 4 eighteen year olds."

Aprils' face crinkled up, "Ew, but I guess his Master Splinter doesn't have to worry about giving him the talk."

"Nope, he actually gave the talk to RAaph. And at a weird time, Me Raph and Usagi." But Leo didn't know that full story, only that it was enough to make April laugh, his gave falling back to the table for a moment, "Actually he's terrified of Master Splinter. I don't know why but he is."

"But, didn't Master Splinter raise him?"

"I-I don't know. He doesn't' tell me a lot about his home. Except for the fact he love's his brothers. He calls his Leo 'aniki' and calls his Raph 'Kuma-ni."

"Th, "Aprils face smiled gently, "That's sweet."

Leo nodded, though he barely knew it was there, he sat back at the chair, "He's such a good kid. I thought he'd never trust me, but now that I have it. I'm scared I'm going to do something that'll ruin it."

"You won't," the hand on his shoulder was so soft. The first human who ever trust him and his brothers. The only person he'd ever consider a sister in his family. Leo lifted the hand on his shoulder up to rest against his cheek, "Thanks for being part of my family April. You and the baby."

"You can't shake us that easily."

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

"WHY WAS MY LAPTOP IN THE FRIDGE?!"'

"For the last time , how the hell should i know!?"

"You were the one who borrowed it! You said "I just want to watch 'Attack on Titan'. Where do i find it?! IN the FREEZER stuck on the first episode!"

"Dam it it wasn't me-"

Leo almost considered going back in the elevator and reentering on the off chance he'd run into a more 'normal' conversation. Rather than the scene of Raph and Donnie standing in the kitchen, his genius brother with a wet looking frosted laptop in his hands and Raph with his hands over his head. It was a rare enough sight to see red and purple clash like that. But, going over his options, he chose to walk by with the plastic bag hanging from his hands.

"WHO ELSE WOULD PUT IN IN A FREEZER?!-"

"MIKEY! MIKEY WOULD!"

Leo was about to head off of throw the 'sugar black hole' named Mikey his bag of sweets when his fist shot up to catch something soft in the palm of his hand. Leo looked to the piece of bread wadded up in his hand before looking back around to the ruckus in the kitchen to see Raph with a loaf of bread with another piece of bread in his hands, "Oh good got your attention, Can I talk to you?

That was anything new. Since little Don had arrived he had spent aggressively little time with his father, something he knew he had to make up for later. Leo set the bag on the floor before jogging down. The door to Splinters room lay just past the training space

That was something he could deal with later, especially with that elbow hooking around his neck and being drug back with his heels scraping the ground. He honestly didn't know where they were going till they were standing outside Splinters room. Having replaced the metal door with one that was screen and , in Leos' opinion, a upgrade.. But somehow his father never found any hindrance in getting to any source of 'real' trouble in less than a blink. Leo glanced back to make sure that Raph and Don had stopped arguing, though now Don had set his laptop on the counter and was resting on his elbows with his hand over his head in absolute devastation.

He'd find out about that later

The arm around his neck suddenly loosened and he found himself being shoved lightly away. Raph's eyes glancing over to the main room. where the rest of the 'brothers' were. He had no doubt they wouldn't be able to hear him-'

"The kid tried to hurt himself."

"What!?" he barely had time to spin around, no, he had to be lying. Btu his amber eyes stayed firm. Leo grabbed his shoulders, "Raph that's not funny-"

"I'm NOT trying to be funny. I wouldn't believed it either if I hadn't seen it."

The biggest fold in his brain told him his brother was lying. That someone Little Don's age would NEVER try and hurt himself.

But he knew his brother

and he knew better

Leo forced a breath through his lips as his hand ran over his scalp. Pacing around a few feet before looking back to the kitchen and living room. Atleast he hadn't caught their attention, "What the hell happened?"

"I was in the garage when I heard him and Mikey messing around. But I tried to ignore it. I went to get something to drink when I thought they were 'playing' somewhere else but your buddy was still at the kitchen table, Mikey had gone to get him some comics or something. I wasn't even going to talk to him but I." Raph's hand went over the back of his head, "I wanted to apologize for screaming at him. You know, but before I could I turned around he had freaking written "I'm sorry' on the table in water. I sorta thought it was half assed till I saw his face." Raph looked back to him, "that kid has the freaking saddest eyes. He could Mikey a run for his money. I knew he didn't mean it. So I got my balls together and I apologized too. I apologized for screaming at him and I told him it wasn't his fault. The kid freaking hugged me," Raph smiled sadly, "

"I kinda…hugged him. He deserved it. He wasn't a bad kid just, shy. Then Master Splinter came in with his shirt. I don't think he even knew Splinter was there. I didn't even know WHY Splinter was holding his shirt till he grabbed the kids arm. He freaked out and threw himself away from. He almost broke his head on the cupboard. It was like he was spasaming, before I knew it he was grabbing at his wrist. It took me and Mikey both to pin him down. I demanded what he was doing but he was so out of it. I don't think he even knew he was doing it."

Leo felt his back teeth grind together fighting for the first undisciplined response that came to his mind, "He didn't-"

"WE stopped him in time."

"Good." That was positive atleast, "He-he's ok?"

"He cried a little bit but other then that he's ok. "

"You didn't scream at him again did you?" His tone was harsh but Leo found ti hard to feel bad even with that glare returned to him, "NO, I just, I let him. You know? He was CRYING what else was I supposed to do?"

Anything else, but Leo could still appreciate such a kind act from his normally aggressive brother. Leo reached up and touched his shoulder for a moment. Drawing his brothers attention, "Thanks Raph-"

"That's' not all, he was coughing pretty badly so I made him go lay down. But I talked to Splinter, I just wanted to make sure he was ok. But he was getting out all these old paints out. He said he recognized the family symbol in the kid's collar."

"How? Halfshell's from another dimension."

"He said he had seen someone with that symbol in the Battle Nexus . He said that, since he knows that he can get a direct path if he can get ahold of the Daimyo."

The Daimyo? Splinter knew someone from little Dons dimension?-

"But there's more."

Of course, and with that shove to make him stumble back a few more feet. THAT was something he could stop NOW, "What-"

"Remember that night you and Little Don came back from White Castle?"

"We didn't GO to White Castle, "And he hated that movie, "but yes."

"I went to see Don in the lab, because he had been at it for WEEKS, to get him to take a break, but a 'dimensional window' opened up. I wasn't sure what we were seeing at first, but I saw Usagi and a younger version of Mikey."

" You saw Halfshell's home world? " Shell, , "And they were ok?"

"You weren't there, but it changed over to me. It looked like I had broken a leg on something. But he could HEAR us. When he realized Little Don was in our world he started throwing himself against it like a maniac till I talked him out of it."

"O-oh." Leo wasn't sure what he had been expecting to hear, but he hadn't been expecting to feel so heavy. Especially at news like that

The portals were opening,

Don's family was ok

Splinter was going to find a way to reach the Daimyo.

He kept his breathing level, smiling before reaching up and putting his hand on his immediate younger brothers shoulder, "Thank you for telling me Raph."

"Are you going to tell the kid?"

"I don't really have a choice do i?" Leo kept a smile though as he shrugged, "why don't you go figure out what happened to Don's laptop. I'll go talk to Halfshell."

Raph gave a small nod, smirking before shoving him in the shoulder and walking off. Leo took a deep breath before putting his hands on the back of his head

This was a conversation he didn't want to have.

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

Don picked up the book that Mikey had given him. He wasn't quite sure the point of such a thin book with bright pictures and word bubbles. And Humans in such tight clothing. It was better then the 'video' of naked humans eating smaller ones

Honestly he didn't want to know why Raphael was watching that

The arm around him tightened, a heavier body leaning over and jabbing on the page, "and THAT'S the Silver Sentry he's about a million times more awesome then anything else in the world but that's' just my opinion."

"I don't mean to judge your heroes Michelangelo, but why do all of the humans you declare 'awesome' appear to enjoy skin tight clothing? And the women you declare awesome appear to enjoy showing as much skin as possible?" Don leaned his head back to rest against Michelangelo's' shoulder. He was actually surprised when Mikey had joined him, even going so far as to get under the blankets and cuddle him while flipping pages of the strange thin pages he so loved. Trying to point out how each character was different and so loved and broke the norms of social standards

"They're expressing their creativity DONATELLO," he felt the amrs around him tighten, "CREATIVITY Doctor Man."

Doctor Man? He was quite sure if he used the title his bleeding diseased patients would be laughing all the way to the next village and their more serious I-sha. On a quick side note, the closest I-sha other then him and Arata was about 20 miles away.

And he was dam sure those judgey laughing patients would come crawling back sooner or later.

Don rolled his eyes as he tugged on the strip of his mask before scooting down to rest on his shell. Listening to the hum of his oxygen machine and the shouts between himself and Raphael. The door opened slowly and he saw a familiar smiling face with a blue mask around his eyes, "Hey Guys."

"took you long enough." Don's head was pushed into his pillow as Mikey leaned over him, "what happened?"

"Took a nap." that was a lie. But with the smile it didn't seem so bad. Till Leo's eyes went down his wrists. Uh oh. this is exactly what he was trying to avoid by wearing bandages, Leo moved to sit on the edge of the bed," Mikey I'm just going to ask one time, did you put Don's laptop in the fridge?"

"No way man, I wasn't near it all day. The only one in the living room was Lil Don."

"I'm choosing to believe you," Leos' brows furrowed in a way that Don knew was half serious half 'if you're lying you're in SO much trouble'. Before he turned and pulled out a small red bag, "April got you some skittles why don't' you go eat them while I sit with Don? You've earned it."

The pressure that had kept the side of Don's face pressed against his pillow made him flip over off the bed, the orange masked ninja snatched up the 'skittles before spinning, "We'll practice skateboarding tomorrow! I'll ask Don to make you a ass cushion!" before spinning out of the room. The sound of stones running down a throat.

The room fell in a awkward silence that Don hadn't felt with Leonardo since he first arrived. His gaze going down to his lap as he slowly pulled his wrists from view and put them behind his shell, "Raphael told you?"

"Yeah, Raphael told me." atleast he wasn't screaming, but the concern probably hurt worse. Worse then the hand now running down the side of his face, "Why didn't you tell me? Why would you try and hurt yourself?"

"I-It's not like that. I'm not, "he didn't even want to say it. Don sat up and took the hand from his face and squeezed it between his hands, "Leo, remember how I told you I was in chains a few years ago?"

"Yeah?"

"Well I was trapped for a few days. I-I'd try and get the chains off myself. Even after my Kuma-ni saved me, I wasn't right in the head. I lost my mind for months. My-My mind, "Spirits he didn't want to talk about this, he focused on squeezing Leos' hand tighter, his thumb running up and down Leo's fingers. feeling the tiny Knick and scars on them ,"kept telling me I was still in chains, so i-id' try and cl-claw the chains off. Even if-I f they weren't there." He kept his gaze solely fixed on his hands. Donnie didn't even want to think about Leonardo's face.

"so you weren't trying to hurt yourself on purpose?"

"N-no." don lowered his head down to rest on his hand, "n-no. My-my mother taught me better than that. She taught me to value my life. I-I wouldn't EVER do that on purpose. "A huge sigh filled the room. He felt Leo's other hand wrap up on his shoulders as a he bent over, in a awkward but effective hug, "that's all I needed to hear Halfshell. "

That's all? 'That's all' made his chest ache. If there was something he didn't do he did cry TWICE in one day. NO way. He'd rather eat his own fingers. The hand on his shoulder suddenly pushed, forcing him into a sitting position and to look into dark yes "You have a mother?"

Did he forget to mention that? Don nodded, "Sh-she ado-adopted me and Raph when we were separated from you and Mikey."

"O-oh." Leo reached down into a bag Don hadn't noticed till now, "April sent some stuff for you."

"Wh-why?"

"cause she's nice to people who won't talk to her. "Low blow. And that smile said Leo knew that and , in a way, trying to avoid the topic of his mother. Maybe it was because this Leonardo had never had a mother? Maybe he should show him his family symbol. Later. Leo pulled out a few books. Don looked back up to Leo in time to see him reach into his belt and draw out something that fit in the palm of his hand. Purple, it sort of looked like Donatello's' inhaler

"April went and filled up one of Don's other inhalers. We don't' have your medicine here, but this is a close second."

An inhaler? Don reached up and took it. It was a strange looking thing; he had seen his older self-use them enough times. Squeeze the button and breath in the medicine, hold the medicine in your lungs and release your breath. He knew how to use it, he looked back up to Leo, "Why an inhaler? I don't have asthma."

"it's close enough." the small inhaler was placed in his hand. Like a lot of things, Don figured he didn't have a choice in the matter. Leo took the inhaler out of his hands for a moment before giving him a small shove on the shoulder. The universal symbol for 'scootch'. Don stuck his tongue out before bouncing over, giving Leo enough room to get under the blankets next to him before feeling his muscular arm wrap around him, holding up the inhaler for him to see, "Do you see that?"

"What?" Blame him for having tired eye. Don leaned his head back to rest on Leonardo's shoulder with a whine before looking back up at the inhaler. Before noticing a small black mark on the side of it. Donnie took the inhaler and held it closer, before the symbol came clear in a way that made his heart skip a beat. Making his sit up and turn to Leonardo, "Y-you painted 'health' on it?"

"I figured you could use all the luck you can get." Leo smirked as his hand rubbed his scalp again. Don smiled before putting the inhaler back in his pants pocket before snuggling deeper into the blanket. One of the larger books that Leo ha brought home was dropped on his lap. Don reached to pick it up before pausing,.

He loved spending time with Leonardo, maybe ti was his selfless kindness or personality Leo always made Don feel safe in world he didn't belong in. But in that moment something felt different. It made him look back at Leonardo with a frown. Earning him a equally confused look, "what? You don't like it?"

"N-No its great." it was something he couldn't shake, no matter how much eh wanted to drop it. He turned to look at him fully, making sure they had eye contact . Knowing Leonardo would never lie to him "are you sure everything's ok?"

That was a new expression; his face was strained and almost remorseful. Normally he was used Leo having a smile or keeping a look on his face that exhumed confidence. His eyes shifted over to the bedroom door, Don wasn't sure what he was looking at, whether metaphorical or physical. But when he looked back around he had a bright smile back

"everything's fine Halfshell."

"O-Ok." but Don forced a smile; he leaned back in his seat,

(#)(#)\/(#)(#)

John Bishop couldn't find many joys in his life.

It wasn't as though he had any before, but he found the world he lived in fussy. Obnoxious and full of unneeded desires. But there was still a sound he so loved to hear. It sent shivers of excitement down his spine and through his teeth. The sound he was currently being here with.

The screams of an enraged prisoner

He could barely even believe see the man the Rat King had once been, drowned in chains and under the lazar of several guns. The streets had been locked down so no civilians could 'accidentally' drive past the construction site and see their work.

The man once known as Evan Burmingham was hung by chains on two support beams. His eyes glaring hatred at the solders surrounding him. A once honorable Sailor he had known, a proud Navy Seal, that he had even been a best man at.

Btu that man was long gone

Bishop strode forward, hands behind his back, "it's been a while Evan. Do you still go by that? Or should I still call you the Slayer?"

Pitch eyes shot over to him in a death glare, an inhuman sound rippling through his throat. Bishop could see his muscular arms rippling under his chains. But there was no way he would be able to free himself.

He had designed these chains himself

"I am not going to take up more of your time, it's obviously valuable." bishop could vaguely remember the last person who had the horrible mistake of thinking his tone humorous

That person was now in the Bronx with a bullet in his head

"So I'll make this quick, a month ago you came into contact with a 'new arrival' who takes after some certain 'turtles'. He's a bit younger than them, and I happen to know he was 'kind' enough to give you food. A bit demoralizing for someone with your," Bishops eyes ran up the ruined building, 'impeccable taste, but I happen to know what chasing someone for a life does. Atleast to the prey. It wears them down, drags them to the ground. Leaves them half alive. That's your position and the game we've been playing for the past two years. But I also happen to know you're quite the hunter. So here's my proposition.' He stepped closer, his men knew better then to warn him.

Bishop feared no man

Bishop feared no creature

He didn't fear the eyes glaring hatred at him. That blamed him for his condition, his head leaned forward

"SO here's my proposition, if you bring me the small turtle. I will forever abandon my hunt on you. You will be free to roam the rest the your days however your decaying body desires." The tone in the Rat Kings eyes changed. Had it been 5 years ago, Bishop might of understood that look

But that part of the Slayer was dead

---

Translations

---

Reddomedou: Red Meadow

Konichiwa: Good Morning

Gaki: Brat

Jūbun'na: Enough

Dansei wa, kieru: Men, Disapear

Komori: Bat

: Red Meadow

Konichiwa: Good Morning

Gaki: Brat

Jūbun'na: Enough

Dansei wa, kieru: Men, Disapear

Komori: Bat