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

22. Nothing is Impossible

A/n

Hey guys, I know I normally give you guys something here but i'm leaving my note at the bottom this time, this one is actually special to me and after reading this I think you'll see that. I hope :)

oh also, did I tell you Kaede got third place in the TMNT Stealthy Stories contest? You go girl!

I promise never to say that again.

Chapter 22

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I am not afraid

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Usagi never thought of himself as a believer.

Not in context to how he believed in people or the heart of his home. He believed in the people he grew up and went to war with.

But since Donatello's disappearance, he wasn't sure he even believed in spirits. In anything that would allow his frail brother to be taken away from the people cared and loved him. He refused to put his faith in any thing so cruel. It wasn't the spirits that was helping Mikey when he'd wake up sobbing at night, it wasn't the spirits who had helped him with his heavy work load, it wasn't the spirits that were being extra kind to Mikey around the village.

Speaking of workload. Usagi ran his hand down the back fo the horse one more time to ensure its fur was clean and dry before stepping out of the stall with a playful tickle to the horses ears,

"Do we have any sleepy tea?"

Usagi paused from hooking the stall door in place. He wasn't sure how he didn't hear Mikey enter the stable, even though it was racist to claim so, rabbits really did have good hearing. So he chalked it up to exhaustion before turning to the youngest kame. Leaning in the doorway into the stable, his eyes lacked all the sparkle that he normally had. Even the stars he had drawn onto his mask tails weren't as bright as they usually were.

Usagi would do anything to see that child smile again

"Why do you require it? You hardly have a hard time sleeping."

"I know, bu I need to make absolutely sure I go to sleep."

"Absolutely sure?" Spirits he missed being thirteen, he missed the innocence, "I believe we might have some 'sleepy tea.'" his lips twitched lightly at the word, "I'll make you some after dinner, I don't want you falling asleep in your soup. That excuse only works when Leonardo takes over the kitchen and makes us quake in our sandals." atleast he earned a smile smile for that one. But it was no where near the broad toothy smiles Mikey used to have, he wrapped his arm around his youngest brothers shoulders to hug him into his side. Guiding the child into the path and off the night cold grass. Other then the politely greeting to patrolling samurai the short journey hours longer. Usagi noticed Mikey's hands were to his front, fiddling whit something made of paper, "What did you make?"

Mikey glanced at him before holding up his cupped hands. It it lay a folded in his tiny palm mixed of dark gray, white and spots of orange, "A kitsune? I thought they were all orange."

"Not the one I dreamt about."

Usagi felt the corners of his mouth twitch. That seemed about right. More then anyone else he knew, Mikey had dreams enough to fill a village. He missed when Mikey would tell him about his fantastic dreams, but he knew that with his age had come a self consciousness. So other then the nightmares that would send the youngest awake with heavy sobs, the only way Usagi knew he had a particularity interesting was when he'd spend the day folding papers around to form little creatures. But that also raised the question of how Mikey KNEW it was a kitsune since he hadn't seen one. Even Usagi hadn't seen one.

He wasn't' surprised when they reached the house and Raphael was no where to be seen. He gently pushed Mikey in ahead of him. Pausing as Mikey set the lights on the main room as his chest became heavy. Mikey slumped over the low table, though his arms were stretched over the surface, his hands seemed to be cupped around something but looking with half lidded eyes. Usagi wasn't sure what he was hiding in his hands but left him to it to focus on making a dinner for two.

The Miyamoto's were a large family, spread across the Kita region. With more cousins, aunts and uncles then he could count. But they were situated far from them, so Usagi never saw them once every few years. So he had grown used to the small family he had within arms reach. His father, Leonardo, and Michel-chan. And when Mikey had first pulled Master Splinter from the river and Leonardo had gone off to find Donatello and Raphael he had felt his stomach tighten. Mostly in anxiety at the idea of loosing his family. Loosing his brothers.

But that hadn't been the case.

Instead of loosing his adopted brothers, he had adopted two more. And a moths with that, a step mother who made his father very happy. He didn't exactly think of Splinter and Lorenzo as paternal figures in his life, but they were more like uncles. They were part of his family all the same

His mouth twitched as he knelt by the kamodo already setting up a pan for rice. How many nights had their been with the whole family in one house? Laughing, sharing stories. Trying not to step on Mikey as he weaved through the family trying to talk to as many of them as possible and share stories and make sure everyone had a plate of some delicious meal he had made. Leonardo would somehow hook his scarf around Mikey's' neck as he tried to supervise everything around him. Splinter and Lorenze would try and reign in the youngest wild energy by telling him stories and keeping him rooted in one spot. Raphael would maintain his 'stoic' appearance by sitting against the wall and letting Mikey climb all over him. But capable of more patience then Usagi thought possible.. Dorinbo and Kaede would normally end up sharing a single cup of sake and sharing glances as Newlyweds normally do. And little Don would end up asleep with his head on Raphael's' lap, sometimes on Usagi's or Leos, exhausted from the days events. But somehow always having a smile. He systematically filled tow plates of rice before turning and setting them on the table. And a small clay pot full of sugar, though any normal person would season their rice with salt, Mikey had a unhealthy ideal of filling his rice with sugar. Though normally SOMEONE would stop him from filing his rice with too much of it, Usagi felt that , under the circumstances Orenji-chan deserved something to cheer him up.

Usagi squeezed his eyes shut with a sigh, if only for a moment...

He missed that sickly little turtle

He missed the blue masked kame he had grown up with

"Usagi how come we've never seen kitsune's?"

The rabbit samurai blinked before realizing he was staring into a plate of stone cold rice that Mikey had his head almost directly in his line of sight so he couldn't even be sure he WAS holding a bowl of rice anymore. But the blue of his little Orenji-chans eyes were almost as big as his plate, Usagi gently reached up and pushed his little brothers head out of the way back to his spot on the table before taking back up his chopsticks and pinching up another bite. "why do you ask?Is that "

"I had a dream last night and it got me thinking." Normally Mikey thinking was a bad thing, but the dark circles under his eyes told him the youngest would be too tired for mischevities. The youngest kame turned to his cupped hands and drew it off the table to the closest corner between Usagi and him, situated in the shelter of his palm. Drawing a small smile from Usagi, "Is that a kitsune?" he couldn't be sure if not for Mikey's' nod. He had actually been grateful when Lorenzo had taught him the art, it hadn't taken long for the orange masked kame to surpass the old Neko's art and go beyond that even. This new creation was harder to decipher then the others had been, since Mikey had spent three days making origami figurines of his whole family , hidden securely in his 'precious box'. This one had strange pointed ears and a rather puffy face, its paper was orange and dulled with streaks and spots of black and white standing on two legs. Though Usagi wasn't quite sure how Mikey knew it was a kitsune if the youngster had never seen one before. Usagi had never even seen one, to be fair. But he knew the stories, " Its hard to explain Orenji-chan-"

"Can you do it anyway? Please?"

The smile returned to Usagi's face as he shook his head. It was quite obvious that being the youngest Miyamoto had spoiled the kame for all these years, not that Usagi hadn't been at fault. He put the untouched plate aside and turned from the table, he had barely opened his arms before Mikey was snuggled against his chest with a bright smile that forgot all weariness of the night. The heaviness of the past few weeks lifted from his chest,

If only for a little bit.

"well Orenji-chan." Usagi lowered his head to rest on the child's scalp, "its a tricky business, Kitsune's. Back during the Rebellion, our father heard many tales of kitsune, there were so many tales, similar but it seemed that every solider from every region had a different tale of the kitsune. But there were similarities, and those were the tales father told me and Leonardo growing up."

"How come he never told me?"

"Because you always wanted to tell your own stories." he said giving his brother a tighter hug, "Or you were always asleep before he started. AND cause you ask too many questions before the stories even started." Usagi almost enjoyed Mikey's' sheepish smile, earning him a moment of silence, "It was said there used to be many of them."

"Like Kames?"

That didn't' take long for the next question and earned him a eye roll, "No not like Kames, Kames came from a far away land in large numbers, but their violent nature diminished their numbers. But for Kitsune's, it was different. They were beautiful, clever and were loved by all. They were thought ot be good fortune, too pure. But it wasn't just people, even the spirits favored them. They wanted kitsunes in their blood line, in their villages, they wanted to marry them. Even the Shogun took one in, adtoped it. Especially Inari, she favored them above all other species, to the point where one night when everyone went to sleep, they awoke to find almost all the kitsune's gone. Even the Shoguns adored child. She took them as her own, as her messengers, kitsune of all colors, her right hand's obtain a fur pure white. To show her direct will. But because they are so loved and so wanted, they were given the ability the shape shift to hide their form. That is why so many shrines to Inari have been made, her will is so kind but you never know where her followers are, so shrines are set up, and prayers are sent in hope that her will are fallen onto you. For food, for blacksmiths and warriors, that's why even we have a shrine to her, the one Master Splinter looks after."

"What about the ones left behind?"

Well, Orenji-chan, those are the ones...not so pure. Or atleast that is how the tale goes. Their is no proof that there was anything wrong with the kitsune left behind. But that became the thought , to the point that any kitsune was treated like a plague, as though they bore the Red River Virus in their hands and offered it as a gift. Their appearance even brought about their own death. To the point where whatever Kitsune that couldn't find sanctuary in a village hid from sight, from civilization."

"O-oh." there was a quiver in his little brothers voice, fear? It wasn't' like Usagi was telling him a horror story , even so he felt Mikey's' little hand grip his arm tighten, "so,so are they bad?"

Usagi felt himself smile lightly, before looking around the room, wondering how to phrase his answer, "There are no two tales for the Kitsune that are exactly alike. Just like there are no two similar kames, no two similar rabbits, no two Komori and no two Inui. Or any other creature, we can not even be sure if Inari took the bad ones, so we must rely on our own instinct, never treat anyone like a monster but you also can't treat everyone as though they are you best friend."

Usagi wasn't sure how to answer that question and bought himself some time by looking around the room. How was he even supposed to say this? Without sounding like a cliché jerk? Usagi tightened his arms around his youngest brother before lowering his head to brush his fuzzy cheek against Mikey's and draw a giggle from Mikey, "Treat them how Father, Leonardo and I raised you. As though every person you see has never been treated kindly before a day in their lives, because it might just be true. Alright?"

Spirits those blue eyes could topple nations and break soldiers. But slowly the corners of his mouth rose up as he squeezed Usagi around the chest. Before popping up to his feet and taking up his plate of rice," Mikey?"

" I wanna give my food to the Inari Shrine, I've been giving it to the family shrine, but if Inari really is as nice as you say, she wouldn't want our family separated. SO if I go hungry, she'll know how badly we want our family to be back together. "

"I do not think that's' the point of putting food of shrines." But he knew when his brother was adamant, so he took his own plate and a third one, splitting his meal in half and pushing it onto the plate, "I think Inari understands you are a growing child. I'll give the shrine half my rice. I'll even make sure Splinter gets it. Since he's been taking care of the shrine, maybe Inari will listen."He took up the plate, before it was yanked form his hands by Mikey. Before he could scold his little brother, the youngest had set the plate back down to take the lid off the sugar pot and pour some sugar on top before putting it back in his hands, Usagi wasn't sure if Inari would like 'sugar drowned rice' but it was a kind act all the same.

Usagi took up the plate again, " Make sure you eat your dinner and do your chores Orenji-chan." before getting up on his feet and pushing the door open. Grateful for fur against the cold summer air-

"Leos' brave. Right?"

Hm? Usagi turned back around to Mikey. Was he ever going ot get outside? Or even get to his own meal. But who could ignore that little kame? He turned back around, shifting the plate around to one hand. Spirits he even had his fists under his chin, "Yes, Leonardo's very brave. That's why he didn't question what he had to do."

"Cause it was for Donnie?

"He would do it for any of our brothers Mikey"

"And, we have to our part too? Right?" Mikey glanced back to the room they all shared. What was going through his mind, "Raph has to be not angry, You have to make sure I don't do anything stupid and I-" Mikey looked back down at his hands. Usagi wasn't sure what was so special about the little origami kitsune. Then again, Usagi only KNEW it was a kitsune from a drawing his father had made. So how did Mikey know what a kitsune looked like-

Usagi was pulled out of his thoughts as something was dropped onto the plate. "Mi-" but Mikey was already across the small room and ducking into the bed room, "Mikey-"

"I gotta go to sleep! The sooner I go to sleep the sooner I can find Donnie!"

"Mikey! Mikey you have chores! And why are you giving me the fox? Mikey? MICHELANELO!"

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

Leo?

Oooh spirits his head hurt. Everything hurt. Wait no, not everything, his throat didn't' hurt, which was something considering he couldn't remember the last time he had something to drink. A blanket was wrapped tightly around him, almost like a swaddle a soft cushion beneath his head...

Somehow he always ended up like this

Lying somewhere he didn't know

laying next to people he didn't now...always missing his kimono top (why was that the clothing they always took?) But then slowly everything came to him. As though someone was pulling back the curtains of his mind and reason were the gentle morning sunlight

He didn't know where he was

He didn't know who was sitting next to him

He didn't know where his swords were

And he didn't know where his kimono was

Leo tried to free his arm, but the 'swaddling' had all but immobilized him. He wiggled his shell around before thrusting his hips, he opened his blurry vision. Oh spirits it was still dark was it night- no, judging by that drop on his face it had to be some sort of roof, a cave?

"Is that how you always wake up? Thrashing around like a akachan in a tantrum."

Akachan

Leo let out such a growl that he was sure Raph would be proud as he rolled around with extra vigor spirits it was dark-

a hand fell on his brow, callused and furred like his grandfathers, like Lorenzo. Forcing his brow up to look at a full dark gold beard. Longer then his forearm, and dark eyes. Hair pulled back into a pony tail, a face he recognized. It was a Raion. The same Raion he had met a few days ago, warning him of his danger in the restaurant. He warned him of the bounty hunters.

The same raion that had saved him from the akai...what was his name...Kenichi? Kenji? Ka-Ka-...Katsuichi...that's it...,"Katsuichi."

"I"m honored you remembered my name, for a sec though I thought you were going to hurt my feelings." Feelings? Did old people have feelings? Spirits he must have been out of it to have thoughts like that. Of course old people have feelings. Choro. Elder, that was a better term, it was the term he had been raised with. A furry hand laid on his forehead, "I feared your fever wiped your memory. I wasn't sure if your fever had broken after you stopped puking up your meals."

Meals? Fever? How long had he been there? He certainly didn't remember eating or drinking, but he wasn't hungry. How long had he been there? Unconscious, feverish and unable to even take care of himself? Cared for by a strange old Raion as though he were helpless? And how the hell did he get this blanket so tight around him. He pulled on his arms for a moment- OW! That slap to his scalp was NOT appreciated he sent a glare to the old Lion, "Wh-"

"The word 'Fever' should not send you into a stir crazy rage. You need to rest-"

"Watch me!" he was definatley turning into Raph at this point, and he didn't think that the world could handle two Raph's. Leo glared down to his chest. He was swaddled so tightly that he couldn't if not be sure he was actually paralyzed if not for the pins in his arms that reminded him of his lack circulation. There was a touch that made him jerk away. Thrashing around the best he could. How the HELL did that old lion tie him up so well.

HOW LONG HAD HE BEEN THERE

That horrid thought kept echoing through his mind, over and over again. A day? A week? Even a hour was too long. Too long to spend laying around. A week longer that Don wasn't' home, a week longer Mikey was sitting on the steps of their home waiting for him to return with Donnie-

"Fine. You may leave."

Leo paused, his took hooked into the cloth trapping him as he raised his head to look at the lion. What? "Nani?"

The old lions eyes crinkled with a smile for moment, as though he liked Leo's reaction. Was he telling the truth though?

"If you can make it to the end of the cave." Katsuichi nodded towards the opening of the cave and the tempting sunlight pouring into it, "Then I will 'unwind' you from your blanket and let you go on your way. You may even use my horse."

Leo glared at the lion for a moment. He wasn't sure if the old lion was making a joke or was being serious. But since he didn't get any indication of either he decided to take his chance. Twisting around to look at the mouth of the cave then down at his trapped body with a frown. He couldn't exactly walk being strung up like this. Raphael had told him of a time when they had wrapped Donatello like this, to keep him in bed and from trying sneak around during a fever. How had that gone? Where had they found Donnie?

It didn't seem like the most grown up answer

But he was the smart one.

Leo wiggled around till his was laying flat on his stomach, curling his knees towards his chest before jerking his chin forward, flattening himself out and catching the ground with his chin and using the force to drag his legs after him, wiggling til his tail was straight in the air before jerking his chin forward. Just like a worm-

The sound of scraping stones barely reached the deaf part of his head and he did his best to ignore it and crawl his way forward until he felt something heavy push down on his shell. Flattening him out from crawling. Leo twisted his head around to see sitting on his shell. Well not something but someone, "why the hell are you sitting there?!I thought you said you weren't going to stop me?"

"Am I stopping you child?" Did he have to sound so calm? Spirits he was even crossing his legs, "Or did I find a seat comfortable enough to support my tired back. Would you deny a old man that? Who has spent many days taking care of your feverish self?"

"I would if it was my shell. WHICH IT IS!" Leo was sure that if any of the three people who had claimed parentage over him were here they would of skinned his tail to talking to a elder in such a way. Leo wiggled around for a few more seconds till his aching stomach won over and he let his head drop and his face to press into the pointy cave floor rocks, " Orokana seishinbyō rōjin!"

"Dorinbo would not appreciate such words neither would Kaede. Though the woman who calls herself your mother now, used to have a tongue worse then that at your age." There was a smile in his voice, "I wont tell them though, you only want to save your Otouto."

Leo didn't think such mockery , or kindness, he couldn't tell at the moment. Only that he was glaring into the ground. There was a tug on his mask tails that pulled his head back for a moment in a awkward way he HATED and made him regret ever doing to Mikey or Donnie. Even if it had been just for fun. His vision was obscured for a moment before his head was lowered onto something soft. A blanket?

"And while I stay comfortable, you will rest until I say so-"

"Until you say so!?" Leo tried twisting his neck again," I can not stay here Choro, I have important things to do. I have to find the Sohei Monks-'

"And that is being taken care of young one, that is why we are going to wait here till news reaches us."

Leo gave the old raion , now sitting quite comfortably with a cup of tea and a smile, a heated glare before lowering his head back on his pillow blanket blowing air through is lips-

And as soon as he got his energy back, he was going to send this old lion flying.

"I supposed you're wondering why we are here?"

"I am wondering why you are sitting on me, but I supposed that is the same question."

"Your parents, the rabbit and badger who have come to adopt you, were here. I told them I had found you in a state of fever and exhaustion and told them you were going to the Sohei temple to find your little brother. They made sure you were alright and asked me to keep you here while they go to the Sohei themselves."

"They're..." Leo looked towards to the blanket pillow for a moment before twisting his head back around to look at the lion sipping tea on his shell like it was the most natural thing in the world, "I-I never told you my little brother was missing..."

"No. But my grandson did. He knew the moment it happened, it was quite lucky, or sad. He had returned to our world hoping to visit him and Raphael. I was there when he felt it. "he set the mug down on his shell. If that spilled on him, Leo was going to be one very angry kame but listened anyway, "he knew the moment your Donatello was no longer in this world, and in that very instant his heart broke. I calmed him enough to tell me what was going on. Within the hour we were moving, making it to this cave. My grandson went into meditation a month ago, and hasn't left since."

Leo blinked before turning his head back to look at the old lion, "He's been medicating for a month? How has he not starved, or die of thirst-" Wait, didn't Katsuichi say he was in here? Leo twisted his head around, trying to peer around his shoulders.

""He's in the back of the cave, he has a few Sohei tricks himself, he's using one to search the multiverse, in something called the Astral Map."

"Multi- Astral- PLEASE speak normal." Leo knew his hearing wasn't' the best but he was sure he didn't mishear that.

"Have faith in him."You might find this hard to believe Leonardo but he knows your little brother a lot longer then you have, atleast if you count years in constant contact." the sound of tapping filled the air. Was -Spirits the old man was sewing. Freaking-

Leo could think of a very good argument to that. But He felt his shell rock as the old lion repositioned himself, on his shell, refilling his yunomi before sighing lightly. Proving his content and sealing Leo's fate

Spirits how did he always get in these situations?

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

WWWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHooooooooooaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAA here came the feeling again. Mikey hadn't been sure how long it would take him to go to sleep, he had drank a lot of Usagi's 'sleepy tea' but THIS seemed awfully fast. He wasn't even sure how he was going to find his way back to Sasuke-

hhhhhhhoaaaaaaaaaaaaa here came the feelings again it was like sneezing and burping at the same time but also so though he had secretly eaten 12 sticks of dango and was doing his best not to vibrate out of his skin. Where was the no color? Last time there was no color. And now it was nothing a lot a lot of nothing

ALOT of nothing

Though he wasn't entirely sure how he had gotten to the weird window place. The foxy guy hadn't explained it too well

Mikey twisted his head around. It was sorta like he was swimming in the Raisuhowaito River. Except for the giant current that everyone said would take him away.

Where was that light coming from?

It definatley wasn't the sun, it was too dull for that, but it was coming from above him, shimmering. It sure was pretty

It sure was BORRING

Shouldn't the kitsune be here? He said he needed to come back! Wait, what was that weirdos name? Sa-Sake? Yeah that seemed right, he was sure he had heard Kaede mention Sake a few times! Back before she adopted Raph and Donnie. Didn't she know Sake before she had adopted them? It sounded like she knew Sake really well! Sometimes she and Dorinbo BOTH knew Sake!, "Sake!' he shouted into the emptiness,"SAKE! Its me! Mikey! Miyamoto Mikey! Remember? I'm the fun kame! WE met?" Mikey twisted around, trying to see if Sake was hiding somewhere, "SSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-"

The world shimmered around him, like a stone breaking the surface of water before two shadows appeared before his face turning darker before two dark furred hands broke the surface and took him by the sides, the strange 'sun' growing brighter till it was hard to look at and he was forced to put his hands over his eyes. He wasn't' sure what he was expecting but it wasn't' to have solid ground beneath his feet or to hear a soft laugh, "Are you alright?"

Mikey separated his fingers long enough to peek out from between them. Sasuke was crouched at his level with a amused smile on his face, he dropped his hands immediately, "Where were you!? I went to sleep early and everything! I skipped dango to be here!"

"I was here all along Michelangelo. You wound up on a different Dimensional layer. I pulled you out of it though."

"Dimensional what?"

"I"ll explain it to you later. And Sake is most certainly not my name, I'm sure if we were in our physical world and you called me Sake it would attract every drunkard for a twenty jo radius. And that is not the kind of attention I want."

"Oh." right, that was a stupid mix up. If Raph had been there he would have been at the receiving end of a ten hour long teasing. Btu Sake-SASUKE'S smile was kind , so much like Donnie's, he had feeling Sasuke wasn't going to tell anyone his mix-up, He had forgotten that Kaede used to DRINK a lot of Sake, "S-So what were you doing?"

"I was looking for Donatello, I was hoping I could find him before you came back." Sasuke turned back to the mass of windows with a sigh, "I was hoping I would not require your help."

Mikey looked back up to the plane around them, "were you in here the whole time? What about your body? Donnie can't be in the Astral plane for long periods of time."

"That is because of his lungs, his spirits is strong but his body is frail. It can not handle his soul being away for too long. It will change with time, at his age he is already much further then I was."Dark warm eyes met his again, "come Michelangelo, if we are to find your brother then we have a lot of ground to cover."

he'd been looking this whole time? Mikey looked around again before realizing that Sasuke was already on his way. He hurried after the tall kitsune, it was a bit harder to ake him out among the swirling colors. Mikey reached up and took Sasuke's elbow, ignoring the kitsune's bewildered look even as it fell into a smile," how many worlds are there?"

"Do you know how many stars there are?"

"No?"

"Well, my master described it as 'For every star there is, there is a world unique to itself. Some of them have turtles, some of them do not"

"Have you been to other worlds?"

"Many times, not that I can announce it. Once I enter a world I can not leave it until this." he held up his wrist to show the black stone on it, "glows and shows me the damage that was brought about me moving around is healed. There was a time when I was traveling with a man in a blue box that I did not listen, we both ended up in a space ship shaped like a firefly being threatened with a gun named Vera-"

"Mikey did you find it yet?"

Mikey froze in his steps, Raph? He looked around for a moment, "Raphie?" Looking around till he looked up to Sasuke and his amused smile ," Did you do that?"

"No, it was one of the worlds I already checked for Donatello's presence." a hand went to Mikey's' shoulder and moved him around. Guiding him over to one of the nearest windows. Reaching up and touching it. The screen flickered for a moment before darkening, reflecting darkness of night. Tall walls made of stones and so many metal cans-

Mikey's hands flew over his eyes with a loud yelp, 'WHERE ARE THEIR CLOHTES?!" before realizing how loud she had been and dropping his hands over his mouth and looking back over to Sasuke, "did they hear me?"

"No of course not, we can hear and see them but they can not do the same to us."

"B-Bu-but their naked! I can see there-" Mikey glanced at the window again before his hands flew over his eyes, "TAILS EW!"

Did Sasuke have to chuckle like that? "You might find this hard to believe, but in worlds like you're one of the few versions that actually WEARS clothes."

"Its weird and gross! Aren't they cold?! ARE they gross and weird?! Cause people tell me I'M gross and weird sometimes but I wear a fundoshi atleast!"

"Why don't you look for yourself?" Sasuke still sounded like he was smiling. Mikey lowered his hands long enough to give him a pout-like glare from Mikey before looking back to the screen. Yup. Still naked, still EXTREMELY naked. There were two of them too. The shorter one seemed to be looking for something frantically while the older one pushed around trashcans with his foot, arms crossed with a bored look in his eyes-wow, RED eyes. That was pretty! But there wants' a lot other color. Except for black masks. Why did they wear black? The bigger one had three scars that rounded his bicep and thighs, like claw marks. His sais were HUGE compared to his-wait, sais? Red Eyes? Looking angry? Raph?

"Raph are you even looking!?"

"Yup, pourin' my heart and soul into it." Yup, Raph. definatley Raphie. The smaller one had nunchuks...HE had nunchuks.., well Leo had locked them up till he was old enough to use them, nut he still had nunchucks just like the small turtle! Holy crap that was him! Other Mikey! Smaller Mikey! Orange eyes! Pretty orange eyes and freckles! freckles just like him! Except his skin was much greener, and he was a bit stockier, his nunchucks were huge too! Maybe it wasn't that they had huge weapons maybe ti was they were smaller in comparison to them? Still he wondered who had more, maybe he could count them all before , if he stopped moving-

"Come on Raph! Its my favorite flower!"

"You shouldn't of brought it with you to begin with! I told you you'd loose it. Don't you have ten favorite flowers anyway-"

"I didn't' loose it! It ran away!" That was good reasoning, Mikey would have to remember that one later. If he lost his, mask or fundoshi -

Mikey felt something catch under his straw sandal and drew his attention away from the other Mikey. It looked like something bright orange? Sticking out just under his toe ,Mikey lifted his foot off and peeled it off the bottom of his straw sandal, the petals were tear dropped shaped and layered, bright orange with yellow st-sta, what was that word again? Stamen? in the center. It looked like a lily, or a lily's cousin. But it didn't' FEEL like a flower, it was heavier, and it had a thin strange loop hanging off of it. Mikey paused before sniffing it, it didn't even smell like a flower! He looked up to Sasuke, "What is it?"

"its a water lily, a fake one mind you."

" A fake one?" he looked back down on it, "How do you fake a flower? Do they grow it? " Mikey looked back up to the window it looked like other Mikey was two seconds from diving in the trashcan, it was really pretty but it was his, "how do we give it back to him? Can we go in there and say hi?"

"Sorry little one, no one can pass through the other worlds right now, nothing alive. That's how the waterlily got through. May I?" Sasuke took the flower back , looking into the window for a moment before raising his elbow lightly, like a curve, waiting. Mikey almost thought he had frozen in spot till the Other Pretty Eyed Mikey turned his shell to the window then Sasuke flattening out his elbow and threw the fake flower back in. The screen rippled like water before the fake flower tapped against the back of Other Mikey's head, causing him to jump and spin around confused till his bright orange eyes fell on the waterlily and light up. Catching it with both hands, "There it is! I found it Raph!" and pulled the large string around so it hung over his mask and turning back around, as though trying to see where it had come from. For a moment, when his eyes passed over where Mikey would have been, a spell of loneliness fell over him.

Hands fell on his shoulders, "Come along Michelangelo, we have to find your Donatello."

Mikey let Sasuke pull him along, just as other Mikey started talking to Other Raph, blabbing excitedly and showing what he had re-found

he almost wanted to stay

That Mikey seemed real nice.

But Sasuke was right, they had to find Donnie. Even so he turned back to look at Sasuke, "Did you ever visit that world?"

"I'm not really at liberty to say. " Sasuke gave him another smile, " And I do not spy on them either, but from what I have seen they are very kind." before a small sigh escaped him, "I can not say the same for all of these worlds"

Mikey was about to ask him meant but decided against it, adults always talked like that when they wanted kids his age to be quiet, instead he took Sasuke's elbow again, "S-so how are we going to find my big brother?"

"Well, because of the veil cast on the worlds I am having trouble sensing his energy, and his letters describe a thousand other worlds, so I can not pinpoint his location. Honestly I had not expect Didi's little brother to be such a natural seer. Your desire to find you older brother pulled you into the Maps. Honestly right now with our combined energies, we should atleast be able to sense him."

"Are all these worlds different?"

"I prefer to think of it as, unique." the arm tightened around his shoulders for a moment , "I can not describe how some of these worlds came into being, but they did not all come about the same way. Some were born of greed, some were born of boredom. But there are also many of them that were born of...love."

"Love?"

"That is how I look at them. Some of them I have seen and I can only feel that that particular universe came from a great feeling of love. Like the one we just saw." Sasuke looked over to the nearest one. Why was he smiling like that? The arm guided him over, "Like this one. Look and see."

Mikey looked over to Sasuke for a moment before looking into the window.

This one was a lot like the one he had just seen. There was another brick wall, tall and a giant tree! But there were also two tiny turtles, sitting against the wall, they were so similar . They had to be twins! Twin baby turtles! Mikey always wanted a twin, he wanted to say Donnie was his twin but Donnie had to be a party pooper and remind everyone he was a few months old-

Hold on

They weren't sitting close together

They were connected.

It was as though someone had taken off their arms and pressed their sides together. They were stuck! Mikey glanced over to Sasuke, "Are they hurt?! Are they in pain!? Why isn't anyone there to take care of them!?"

"It is just how life turned out for them."

Just how it turned out?!, "But wh-whats wrong with them?!" he wasn't' sure what he expected from Sasuke, but slowly the kitsune's face slowly turned into a smile, "There is nothing wrong with them, that is simply how they were born.. It might be hard to believe, but they are capable of more strength together then you can ever imagine. Yes they have challenges, more then you can imagine. But there's nothing WROGN with them. Just because they look different does not mean they are 'wrong.'. I'm sure there are many worlds out there that may say the same about you."

What? What was wrong with him? He was lovely! He was a normal thirteen year old turtle who was born from ninja parents, raised by a samurai dad, and had a bunny for adopted of his older brothers! What was weird about that-' the sound of giggling suddenly reached him and took his attention back- hey! Why was the one on the left poking the one on the rights face- no wait it was OK. He was laughing. Oh wow! They had bright purple eyes too, and he didn't notice the lines that ran along the back of their scalps either, almost touching their eyes.

But they were laughing

And they were happy.

Mikey felt his smile fade away for a moment ,"They're tiny though, will they be OK?"

"Do not worry, these two will be just fine. Because they have eachother. " there was a tug on the back of his mask, pulling him away from his spot watching the window. Mikey wasn't sure if it would help but he turned back and waved at the window-

"-Stop doing that!" Mikey nearly jumped out of his skin, where was that coming from?! It sounded so little and so angry! It made him grip Sasuke's arm tighter, as though he expected a angry child to run out and kick him in the thighs. He knew Leo didn't like it, and he didn't want to experience it either, "So what if you're not a good fighter, you're more than make up for it and you'll get better as we get older. We'll work it out, we'll find a way." "- Why is this place so loud?" Mikey asked

"It happens, sometimes we can hear small parts of things going on in other dimensions. Most of the time it doesn't' make sense-"

"BOOOOYAHKASHAAAAAAA!"

Mikey blinked before looking around," Booyka-wha-" before hands grabbed his shoulders and forced him to walk ahead of Sasuke in a faster place,'"Just go Just go."

" But what does that mean-"

"No one knows what it means, if we ignore it it will go away."

"Is that one of the bad worlds?"

"NO, it has its moments, but it doesn't really match up to the other worlds."

Mikey wasn't' sure what that meant, but he took Sasuke's word for it. Before he felt his 'shover' pause for a moment, Mikey glanced around to look behind him only to see Sasuke looking off behind him with a smile on his face, "What are you looking at?"

"Just a interdenominational time hopper hovering outside our dimension. Nothing to be concerned about."

"A what? Are you a weirdo?"

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

"Are you hungry samurai-ko?"

Leo glared back at the Raion still sitting on his shell. The old lion seemed quite content after while. The blue kame had hoped that Katsuichi would get off his shell to get food, but he was far more flexible then Leo wanted to think about. He had simply taken off his geta sandal and hook his toe into the knot of his bento lunch and took it over to himself. IT smelled like rice, it was enough to make his stomach growl but he covered it with his own grinding throat, I'm a bit uncomfortable. Maybe."

"I apologize, if I do not have something to sit on when I eat my poor aged stomach acts its revenge"

"I"m not a rude turtle, but I believe a rebellious stomach will be the least of your worries."

"Listen to that mouth. I'll be sure to tell Dorinbo b, and Kaede of your attitude if they ever catch up to us."

Yipes. That made him shut up with a sigh. And earned a slight hum of satisfaction from the old lion. And him with his face in the blanket pillow . It it were just a little bit thicker he'd probably just hit his head some more. Then again, it wasn't thick enough for anything but for choking himself to death. Atleast he still had that option-

"Katsuichi sensei? Why are you sitting on the boy I adopted?"

Leo' thoughts of self smutheriung suddenly went out the window as his heart suddenly doubles. He raised up his sore neck again, struggling to see shapes at the end of the tunnel.

Kaede

Dorinbo

"Your son wanted to leave, I told hi he could but realized I needed a place to sit. So I took one."

"Old men shouldn't sit on samurai, its not decent."

"Old people can do what ever they want, it is the right we earn by outliving anyone else." What kind of crazy old lion was this?! He felt the weight on his shell finally lift away. Leo rolled onto his side, curling his knees to get up when he felt a arm wrap around his shoulders and help him up into a sitting position. His vision obscured by a dark green kimono robe and the face of his adoptive father.

Dorinbo almost looked exactly like his son, at one point when Usagi was younger. But open the ravages of the past 10 years, the kindly headmen that had adored him and Mikey had longer fur on the back of his scalp and deeper set eyes. Mimicking wrinkles that had to come with stress. But still his eyes sparkled as kindly as the day he had found them, "Are you alright my son? You looked like you have eaten your own cooking again."

Leo allowed the corner of his mouth to twitch lightly before it fell away, "I-I tried to hold on to him father, I tried-"

"Are you talking about Donatello?"

he nodded, before seeing Katsuichi and Kaede out of the corner of his eye. They must of come a long way, her black kimono top was tied around her waist, leaving her bandaged chest only, her dark brown fur and snow speckles were darker with sweat. How far had they come? Just how far had the temple had been? Her eyes looking over to him, Probably in reaction to hearing her 'baby boys' name. But her eyes were on him.

He felt tears burn I the back of his eyes, threatening to win...threatening all maturity he claimed, "I tried Mother, I did." his voice cracked, "I held on to him as tight as I could...he screamed my name...and I swore to him I'd find him. I did everything I could-"

"I know you did."

Spirits even her voice was horse, tired. But firm. Both commending him and condemning him. Her voice said it all

If you did everything you could, then why are you crying?

Leo lowered his head. He felt Dorinbo's' hand slide up to the back of his scalp and coax his scalp back over to rest on the familiar he knew so well. It was way more comfy then that blanket had been. He even felt him tug on the blanket ' prison' Katsuichi had kept hi in the for better part of the day.

His heart beat finally began to slow down with a sigh, his aching shell relaxing against the shoulder he used to spend so many hours crying into as a child, even his appetite was coming back-

"Kaze?"

Leo bit his bottom lip and shook his head. All power in his heart going towards NOT thinking about his horse, or how he was forced to put him down.

He knew it was better then letting him suffer.

But it didn't help the ache in his chest.

"Sohei." he said as the blanket around his shoulders finally loosen. Pulling on his arms ot free them. Circulation was nice, " Did you find the Sohei monks?"

"We did. They were at the capital." his fathers voice was gentle. But it was a voice that Leo knew too well, it almost made his stomach ache all over again, he just wanted the truth, "they had methods of locating your Donatello. And when they found out he was missing, they were more then willing to do them. Especially Arata." Course, Arata would, he had trained Donatello in the first place in the Art, "but none prove effective. They could see nothing past our world but darkness."

World? What was- World? The fact that the very group he had spent the better part of the month looking for couldn't help.

Everything he did was for nothing

Kaze's' death was for nothing-

"Do not fret my child, there is still hope, so long as Katsuichi's grandson does as he's supposed to,"

Grandson? Grandson! Leo had forgotten about the third occupant of the cave, since he had a old lion sitting on his shell to worry about. He twisted in his seat to look into the back of the cave.

Katsuichi's grandson had bright orange fur was speckled with black and white with a more noticeable orange spot on his throat and his jaw outlined in white. , his dark purple robe was wrapped over his shoulder and a sword lay over his lap and over black hakama's. Long shoulder black hair with his bangs pulled back. But most of his appearance was drowned by the shadow. His vision obstructed for a moment as Kaede moved past him, running a hand over his scalp as he did. The badger sat by the kitsune and tore a cloth from her hanging sleeve, dabbing at his face. But Leo could see enough of him he knew what he was, "is that-"

"Yup, that's a kitsune." Leo could hear the smile in his fathers voice and something tugging on his 'blanket prison. Trying to help free him, "I haven't seen one in years."

Bless the Spirits, "He's Sohei right? That's what the purple means. Is he a shapeshifter?"

"He'd say he wasn't, but that's only because he's a private little fox. It is hard enough being a kitsune in this day and age, but to be a shapeshifter makes him a target."

"If he is a shapeshifter then why not change his shape? So he doesn't have to be a kitsune." Leo didn't get a answer but looked back to Dorinbo, he was smiling at him like when Leo was a child and was saying something obvious. Or adorable, and Leo was quite sure he hadn't been adorable in many many years,

"Would you stop being a kame if you could? Just to appease the mind of others around you? Or would you stick it out and become stronger for it?"OK that was a good point a irritating point, "Kaede told me she knew this kitsune since he was little."

"He finds that lying about being a shapeshifter makes people feel calmer around him. Rather then looking at him like he's a monster." It was nice for Kaede to take a moment to answer his question. But He had a feeling he wasn't going to get much other then that.

"He knows Donatello somehow?" Leo asked Dorinbo

"And Raphael. From what Kaede told me, he and Raphael were close. "

"As close as Raphael and Hayate?" Ok he earned that glare.

"Its different, Sasuke wasn't just friends with Raphael, they argued every other moment. But he was also friends with Donatello, and the fact he has already spent a month in meditation looking for him means he cares as much for Donatello as you do. Right all hopes of finding Donatello rests on him." Finally freedom Leo moved his legs free before feeling a bowl being shoved into his hands, "For now eat, eat and pray for Sasuke's success. And pray for your brother."

Normally Leo didn't let people bully him into eating, and that was something he feared Donatello got from him. Even if it was the rabbit that had raised him. But the quiver up his arms and legs told hi of his appetite and sent his fingers pinching into the rice and popping it into his mouth

He needed to know Donatello was still OK...

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

Mikey wasn't sure what he was supposed to feel when he was close to Don's world. But he was sure he didn't feel it. AT all, but it wasn't like he didn't get a chance to see really cool things. He saw a world of tiny turtles and worlds of giant ones, then he saw a world where Raphie had a eye patch but Sasuke didn't let him linger there for too long. He said it was one of the sad ones.

"...well what MAKES it a a sad world?"

"That is something ….you will eventually find out when you get older." That old excuse. It was kind of like Leo's excuse when he asked him where eggs came from. He knew a bird didn't drop him from the sky! Abut anytime he asked for the REAL explanation he kept saying 'That's' for Donnie to tell you when your' older. It made since since Donnie was a I-sha, but still-

"You haven't told me how you know Donnie , Raphie and Mom yet."

Eyes quirked over to look at him, a kind smile on the corner of his mouth, "That's a boring story, yo do not wish to hear it."

"Yeah I do, I hear boring stories all the time. From Leo, from Usagi, from Dad-"

"Atleast you're honest." Sasuke gave him a small smile, 'Honestly it was really nothing special. I trained at Tsukino Dojo to kill Kaede after she got my mother arrested. That's all."

"Oh, wait What!? What part of that is boring!?" Did kitsune's KNOW the definition of boring!? "B-But you're helping Don-"

"Your step mother helped me deal with my anger, and to realize that my mother needed to be arrested. You can't just go around killing innocent people and collecting their ears and not have there be consequences"

"WHAT!?"

"Michelangelo we do not have much time , and we have much work to be done."

What?! Who just says "My mom killed a lot of people and I wanted to kill yours" and lets it off the hook like its nothing?! Mikey tried that whenever he tried to belay breaking something and it NEVER worked! And none of those things were as bad as attempted murder! Mikey stopped in his tracks and tapped his foot angrily. But Sasuke just kept humming away,, every once in a while raising his hand up pressing his pinky and forefinger together in front of him. AS though testing the air, "Michelangelo keep up. You do not want to get lost."

Mikey crossed his arms angrily before walking on. He didn't like Kitsune's'. Even if they were magic, "How come we can't sense Donnie yet?! We've been here forever!"

"Truth be told, the passage of time on the Astral Windows is much different then in the physical world-"

"I don't care! Its still taking forever! AND we're not getting anywhere!" wow, maybe he did have a inner Raph he didn't know about, it didn't do anything to that noncha-noncha what was that word?! Nonchalant? Maybe?! Fox! Stupid fox! He was tired, he wanted to help Donnie get home!

"Are you about to have a tantrum?"

Mikey gave a hiccup as he realized he had been thinking pretty hard. Only to have Sasuke back and crouched to look him in the eye with a almost amused look on his face, "What?"

"You and Kenta have the same face when you're frustrated. Puffed up cheeks, flushed face and eyes crossing. You can tell when he's about to start screaming at the top of his lungs. But I can tell you're trying hard to keep your frustration at bay."

The youngest kame sniffed in frustration, before scrubbing his beak on his forearm, "Ke-kenta? Isn't that the name Mom gave Raphie?"

"Yup, after her father. He favored it. Wouldn't let anyone other then a few people call him Raph. "

"H-He still uses it. E-ven though his real middle name is Ryoichi."

"Raphael is quite close with his adopted mothers Grandfather. I supposed he felt it was a honor to be 'given' his name."slowly the corners of the kitsune's mouth rose up, "And it seems you're easier to calm down then he is."

Mikey wasn't sure what he was talking about, till he realized his breathing had started to level out, his head had stopped pounding and his hands had stopped shaking. Glancing down to his hands to ensure they had really stopped or he was just going numb. Looking back to Sasuke and his kind smile, Mikey's own smile slid off his face, "W-we're going to find him right? We're going to find Donnie?"

"Of course we are." There was no hesitation, or even change of expression, Just a kind smile, "Of that I do no doubt . Its just a matter of when. Alright?"

He nodded before dropping his head to his chin. A hand went up to his scalp rubbing it. A small sigh filled the air, almost in relief. Mikey looked to see Sasuke bow his head. For the first time his appearance looks, shaken,"Sake?"

"I apologize, I truly believe what I said but you have to understand. Negative feelings here have a ,well, negative effect."

"Like what?"

"Just be grateful you didn't have to witness-"

Mikey felt something vibrate under his feet. So gently at first he thought he was just hiccuping but then rushing through, sending him off his feet and onto the ground and facing upwards, the tall floating windows flickering, like a dying light. Mikey rolled over on to his stomach , trying to climb up but the moment he got on his knees another harder tremble shot through the floor again sending him flat on his face with a aching beak," OW!" he yelped, but the tremble had slowed enough for him to get up on his hands and knees, "Sake-" he looked behind him, expecting to see the kitsune at his side but he was already on his feet, standing several feet away and glancing one of the hallways, though he could only see the side of the Kitsune's face the horror was there, his fur doused in orange obscuring the impurity of his fur, "Sake-"

"Michelangelo stay here, what ever happens stay here." the Kitsune demanded before running where the light was coming from. Despite the patterned trembles Mikey struggled his way to his knees,"Sake!" What was going on?! Mikey waved his arms around for balance as he rose back up to his feet. A larger tremble sent him stumbling back waving his arms through the air his hand smacking something solid-

" -I-I can't think about it without- freakin' out!"

Mikey almost jumped out of his skin as he glanced back to the screen, before running forward-

Fire erupted down the hallway, his arms flew over his face with a panicked scream- throwing himself down on his knees before glancing back over his arm with quick panicked breaths, moving forward and shaking fours as he crawled forward,

"Did you have a more specific reason for waking me up other then criticizing me for not sleeping?" Don, that's how Don would should like if he was older. His big brother, a glance showed him that this Leo was wearing black hakama's and a purple obi. He missed Donnie, he missed Donnie so much, "Was it snakeweeds attack or-"the fire fell away as he peered around the screen he had fallen against, holding it to peer around it

Bless the Spirits

One of the windows was torn down the middle, fire engulfed the tiny square pouring out as though desperate to catch anything in its grip, Sasuke had his back to him, his purple robe being whipped around by the force of the fire and his hands held out , crossed over his wrists with his forefinger toughing his thumb, some bright light glowing from his fingers. Spirits how was that guy not on fire yet?! , "SAKE!" He yelled

The Kitsune glanced back, revealing the right side of his face had turned stark white, a frantic look in eyes that was completely alien from the calm he had only ever seen in him. The fire in the window swelled before the sound of shattering glass filled the air. Fire swelled into the empty space, Mikey squeezed his eyes shut before ducking his face back behind the window that was his shield

"Mikey!" spirits that flew him out of his shell, before he realized it was coming from that window he had touched, "Mikey could a been really hurt and-"

"Shut up Raphie!" Mikey snapped at the window before peering forward. Again. Sasuke was on his knees, his robe burned and tattered form the force of the blast but still alive. His hand still raised as though by force of will. But the fire was still there

the fire was free

"Michel stay THERE' why was Sasuke so mad?! Was it his fault?! But the growing window was filling with fire, from corner to corner so much fire. Even in the window Mikey was sure he could feel it against his skin. More lines appeared, drawing a shape in the air, something tall, even taller then Raph! Shaping, the form of a Neko? Some sort of creature with arms and legs, metal began to consume its body, sharp gauntlets on his wrists that were bigger then his shell! A kabuto forming over where would be the heard, everywhere there wasn't metal there was fire,even in the helmet, slowly its arm raised up and pointed.

It pointed straight at the window

AS though it knew they were there.

A giant cracking sound filled the air, and with it fire burst into the room. Mikey shrieked in horror before throwing himself back further, hands over his head and eyes. He felt his arms cooking but no fire reaching his skin. He opened his eyes to see that Sasuke was doing that same hand gesture again, but still that fire was freaking close! Another shriek filled the air, drawing Mikey forward onto his knees, hands clamping on the window, "Sasuke!"

"Stay calm! It'll be alright!" it'll be alright?! How was it going to be alright?! Everything was on fire! The shrieking, what about the other worlds?! The Mikey with the water lily, the inseparable twins, were they going to burn to?! Another shriek filled the air, Orange fire obscured everything that had been Astral.

Then silence.

And rain

The heat disappearing around him and leaving painful cold. As though all life had been sucked out from under him.

Though his most childlike instinct told him to keep his eyes closed, curiosity drove him to open them. When Mikey opened his eyes it was dark gray around him. Mist rising up around his elbows and a mass expanse of water going far beyond what he could see. But the strange lights to his right went up almost as far. Taller then he thought imaginable. Even taller then Raphie! The rain passed through him, he wasn't sure at first until he had put his hands out palms up. But it was almost like he was a ghost. He looked down to his feet, metal? Giant metal squares? They were stacked all over the place! They were even bigger then any house he had seen! They had words painted n the side of them that he couldn't read, Also these strange metal trees that had light coming from them! What kind of trees were those, his eyes squinting as he leaned forward.

There were people here?

He could just see them, they were standing on one of the metal houses. One of them looked like he was struggling to stand, but the other was just fine. What kind of people were they? Rabbit? Neko? Ookami? He moved forward, but his ghost like 'dream' form allowed him to float towards it like a , well ghost-

Sparks suddenly filled the air where the two people were, as bright as lighting, but it didn't come fro the sky. What were they doing? Trying to start afire? Didn't they know it was impossible to start a fire during a storm? He had tried! And got grounded for trying

to play with fire, which was stupid. He had only been TRYING-

Wait.

Mikey got closer, enough to see them swinging their arms around, each time they connected, the sparks would grow brighter.

They weren't starting a fire

They were fighting

Sword fighting

They were moving so fast, dancing over the metal houses. Every time they got close together the sparks would fill the air- the larger one seemed to be winning. Chasing the poor smaller one across the roofs. His cracked shell glistening in the sparks-

Shell?

Cracked?

Raph?

No, not Raphie. This kame wasn't nearly as big as Raphie. And Raph tended to cover up his shell crack

Also Raphie wore clothes

This kame didn't. Or maybe he did and he just couldn't see-EW! That last spark confirmed the disgusting truth of a kame running around in public in the rain without clothes on. Mikey was pretty sure that wasn't allowed! If he wasn't' allowed to run around naked in the rain then-

Wait

blue mask.

Singed on the edges, streaks of red across his arms, It may not of been his Leo but that didn't' stop him from crying out in panic as the other swiped for his neck again. Another flash of lighting...this other creature may not of been as big as the big fiery MEAN one from before, but its hands were covered in a metal gauntlet despite the sword in his hands, and the helmet.

Then something whispered into his ear

He knew this creature.

The creature with metal claws and the kabuto. The red marking. He had known the creature, the monster that haunted his dreams. Ever since he could remember, the Namahage that had followed him till he woke up sobbing and screaming only for leo and the Miyamoto's to clam to him

This creature

He knew it

He knew this monster. And all forms of it. Everywhere. They ere all different, but they were all the same.

The head disapeared around him, Mikey flinched at the sudden stung of cold air, no . Rain. Right?Mikey slowly drew his arms back,

The creature with metal claws and the kabuto. The red marking. He had known the creature, the monster that haunted his dreams. Ever since he could remember, the Namahage that had followed him till he woke up sobbing and screaming only for Leo and the Miyamoto's to clam to him

This creature

He knew it

He knew this monster. And all forms of it. Everywhere. They ere all different, but they were all the same.

They were real

Mikey

The horrors of his dreams

Michelangelo!

There were hundreds of them

Please say something child

All across the realms, there were hundreds of them. Hundreds of monsters his brothers had sworn to him didn't exist

They were real

MICHELANGELO!

he gray suddenly fell from his sight and the night sky of the astral plane returned, A familiar Speckled Kitsune face looking down on his with wide panicked eyes, " Micheal, are you alright? Move your body, is anything hurt?"

Anything...hurt? Hot...yes...but not hurt. He looked down on his body and wiggled his toes. Yup even under his socks he could see them go. But his mind was working at a painfully slow rate. He looked back to his companion, "It-is="

"Its gone, Michelangelo, I banished it back to its home. That is why I wanted you to calm down, negative emotion in the astral plane is doubled, it can attract the most terrifying of creatures." before pausing," But you have seen creatures like that before?"

Mikey nodded weakly, "E-everywehre. In my dreams...for as long as I can remember.. What is it? I thought you said nothing living could pass through the worlds right now?"

Sasuke sighed lightly" I hoped to spare you this, it is a creature that most other realms with you and your brothers deal with. They call it the Shredder. "

"Sh-shredder? So- that fiery thing-"

"It is known as the Beast Shredder, it only exists in one of the worlds, and thank the spirits for that. A demonic creature, that was already terrifying enough to begin with.' he shook his head," spirits I will never know why they put a beast in its mind. It is like putting gasoline in a fire. That Shredder has been cursed little one, well not even cursed.' he thought for a moment, "Its described as alchemy. For him to feel the pain of someone he had killed who had been wearing special armor. He will feel the pain of his killing blow over and over again, till it mutates to the feeling of sepukku, over and over again. For his dishonor. Its more hatred then life -"

Beast? Beast Shredder? Shredder, so many of them. Everywhere. He couldn't stop shaking had his heart was racing again, the arm around his shoulder helped him back up to sitting position. HE was pretty sure he WASN'T crying but just struggling to breath, and sweating from his eyes. His chest was hurting so bad what was this? Was it-

"-You have a type of panic disorder, "

D-Donnie? That was Donnie's voice, older but still his. Was he talking to him? Had he been gone for so long at that he was much older now? Sasuke did say time worked differently in some realms.

No, this one was coming from the window closest to him, his face was trapped by Sasuke's shoulder but he couldn't see the window. Not that he wanted to anyway, his stomach was so tight he was sure he was going to be sick. But could you get sick in the astral plane? Was he going to puke stars-

" Normally people with this experience panic attacks and become uncontrollably afraid for no reason at all; but yours seems to be triggered by something specific."

That was true, even if older other Donnie was talking to someone else, what he said made sense. Mikey sniffed before wiping his eyes on his sleeve, "A-Are they going to be OK?"

Sasuke almost seemed confused for a moment before glancing at the window, as though realizing what he was talking about with a soft smile, "They will be, leadership is a hard and arduous burden. But I assure you they have already been through things worst then that."

"L-LIke was?"

"Imprisonment, enslavement, experimentation... to name a few." looking back over to him, "But they will be alright. I promise."

"G-g-good." that was nice atleast. He didn't know what any of those words meant but they sounded bad. Raphie looked like he was going to puke. It made him feel better to see a world where they wore pants again. But he looked back to the Donatello, whose hand was on his brothers shell. Smiling comforting, in a way only someone with a kind heart could

He wanted Donnie. He wanted his littler Bigger brother. The one he still hardly knew but wanted to spend so much time with. He wanted to know everything about his 'new' brothers.'

But most of all

"I wanna find him." Mikey wasn't used to being so quiet. He wasn't even sure that Sasuke could hear him. But the hand on the back of his scalp reassured him otherwise. HE was sure he was getting astral snot all over Sasuke's robes too, even if he wasn't crying as hard...could they wash their clothes where? Could they wash their clothes in the River Styx?

"You did find him little one." Wait what? Mikey almost thought Sasuke was trying to be metaphorical until he leaned back,one arm around his shoulders and his other hand balancing a small white light. It was so quiet. Mikey wiped his beak on his sleeve again," what is it?"

"It is a beacon, seeing the vision forced you to have a vision from the world Donatello's in. "

"So-so this is in h-his future?" Was he going to see the shredder too?! He didn't want anyone to see the Shredder=

"I can not say for sure, but now we know which world he is in. And for today, that is a victory."

"what are you going to do now? "

"I must return to my body. And you to yours, this place is dangerous even to experienced Masters. It is no place for you."

"Why not?" he didn't particularity like it after seeing that Beast Shredder, maybe there could be a Beast Boy instead? Something like that didn't sound as scary.

"Because there are many layers to the Astral. This is just one, only masters can come here, and I should of sent you away in the first place. But I was selfish." Sasuke was back on his feet, helping him to his, " You have done your part in this story Michelangelo, so for now you must return home. Take care of your family, you may not realize it. But Raphael is not as powerful as everyone thinks, he is only strong when he has someone to care for. And until I can return Didi to you, you must take that place."

Mikey sniffed angrily before lowering his head. He didn't like that at all. He couldn't help anymore? He couldn't return to the astral plane? He lifted his head to pull out his inner Raph and argue till his lips were blue. But a palm touched his forehead, and a whisper again, "Thank you little one, please, I will never take your dreams, but you can never return to this place. To ensure the precious gift your brothers wished upon you. To remain a child as long as you can."

"W-Wait-" Mikey didn't want to be sent back, and it was making Sasuke give him a weird look, "Y-you know what dimension he's in now right?" the fox nodded, so Mikey looked down at the little light in his hands. The beacon that could help them get Donnie home, "I-I know I wont remember, but-but I don't care about tomorrow, I care if I don't' remember when I wake up. But," he looked at the beacon again, "Can I see Donnie? Can I see my Little Big brother so I can know he's OK right now?"

For a horrid moment Mikey thought he was going to say no, its what his brothers would of done. But slowly Sasuke nodded before holding up the beacon. Mikey wasn't sure how to activate it at first but found his hand reaching out, with trembling fingers before brushing against its heat...

"Donatello?"

Don jerked awake, the side of his face inexplicably stuck to the couch eh was curled up on. It took him even longer to realize the large mass tight in his arms in the shape of a , what had Michelangelo called it? Some sort of kuma, a bear. Its head caught under his chin and the large medical book stuck over his knee. He glanced to see Leonardo sitting on the coffee table, leaning forward on his elbows on his knees with a soft smile on his face, "if you keep falling asleep on that couch then you're going to get pranked by Mikey."

"I think I already was." Donnie gestured to the kuma-bear in his arms. Drawing a small chuckle form Leonardo

"I could always take it if you want-"

"No!" Don blushed furiously before looking down to the bear in his arms and hugging it tighter, "Its soft..."

"Now you know why Mikey always sleeps with it."

"I do." Don snuggled down deeper on the couch. Hopefully he wouldn't fall asleep again, "Its like hugging my Mikey. "

"I thought your Mikey was taller then you?"

"Not by that much! Why were people always reminding him of that?" he looked back at the bear, "i just miss him. He's my only little brother." before looking back to Leo "I want to know that he's OK."

"I"m sure he's thinking the same thing about you. You are the one whose missing." his hand reached out and rubbed his scalp gently, "Come on, Half-shell, you' need to go to sleep in your bed."

Aww, honestly other then the missing clothes and professions there weren't a lot differences between the two Leos, "Its your bed," earning another smirk from Leo. His hand snaked the back of Donatello's scalp and pulled him up off the couch. Guiding him towards the bedroom. Don glanced down at the kuma-bear in his arms and gave it a sad squeeze resting his chin on top of it

He hoped Mikey was OK

(#)\/(#)

Splinter had many regrets

He regretted the number of years he had spent in Hebi's dungeon, that he hadn't been there for his wife's last breath. And that he hadn't broken from his father's terror sooner. But he knew things had turned out the way they had for a reason. His sons had ended up orphaned, but with families who had loved them.

What he did regret was his own weakness.

Not the ones that might cripple his mind or heart, he had proven himself strong in those areas years ago. But from being in chains for years. From being malnourished to the brink of death. Years of abuse had made his body near useless. Unable to carry on large journeys that had once been a breeze.

Then perhaps he could of gone with Leonardo, to find his tiny Donatello.

But where would that have left his father-in-law or remaining sons? Lorenzo was blind and aged beyond comprehension. And who would be there for Mikey? His dear youngest who spent many hours in his arms, crying his fears for his missing brothers.

Even if it was selfish

H needed to remain here

And with it, Splinter sighed into his yunomi. Breathing in its steam before the sliding door flew open. The old ninja master jumped out of his fur, sending the hot liquid dangerously close to splashing over his front and the tips of his fur. Course that was his own stupidity for not hearing the youngest approaching, now standing in his doorway with short orange yukata untied and white hakama's stained with grass. but the combination of the lateness and the fact the youngest was NOT asleep sent him nearly into lecture mode til arms flew around his neck, squeezing him tightly. His cup finally flying from his hand and onto his poor floor 'Michea-"

"teach me how to be a ninja."

What? He was far too tire and too old to trust his ears on the first go. He puled away or a moment. His youngest face was smeared with dirt and streaked with tears. It was actually quite lucky that Leonardo WASNT' there fro he would of surely scrubbed the turtles young face. Now pressing back into dark brown robe, "Child-"

But surely he misheard him-

"Please?" his voice muffled, "Please I need to be a ninja, I have to be one-"

Or perhaps he was perfectly coherent. It didn't make this request any less confusing. Though Murakami was a warm home, it was no secret that most of the inhabitants had less then pleasant feelings towards ninja. Even Leonardo despised ninja's for years. Splinter was sure he still resented them, though now he kept it to himself, "You know your village my son. And how your oldest brother feels-"

"I don't care!" how could any one have such energy this early in the morning?, "I need to learn how to be one. My brothers keep trying to protect me but I Have to protect them! I have to protect Leo and Usagi and Raph and Mom and Dad and Dad and Grandpa! I have to! If I don't, who'll stop the Shredder!?"

"Stop the-" Splinter paused, "stop the what?"

"he's not here! But he might be! Someday! Even if he's not, I have to protect hem, so so please! " with just as sudden as Mikey had burst in and hugged him he had back away , slamming his forehead into the tatami rugs with his hands on either side of his head,. Something he surely had picked up from Leonardo. From years of his humility. Splinters heart was already hammering in his chest, no source of pride but a anxiety that made him wish this entire conversation was just a dream. Something he made up.

Anything but this

" PLEASE teach me how to be a ninja."

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

It was good to walk again

Though it was a small space, it was still more mobility then Leo had been allowed acting as a cushion for that old lion. But since Dorinbo and Kaede had arrived, he had wisely kept his mouth shut. Choosing instead to pace around, stretching his arms around the back of his shell and over his head. With the setting sun there wasn't' too much risk by wondering outside the cave but either way, he stayed close. Sliding through some of his kata's without drawing his swords.

Two days

it seemed like such a long wait

He wasn't allowed to go too far anyway, Dorinbo left once to go to a near village for fresh food. It was unnecessary but the fresh cooked fish was delicious. It almost reminded him of the festival fish the village cooked every year. Katsuichi even seemed to enjoy it, not as much as he enjoyed calling him, 'samurai-ko' but it seemed to be a term he even used with Dorinbo. It was less embarrassing.

But Leo felt it was almost a distraction for what was going on in the cave

Since arriving Kaede hadn't left the kitsune's, Sasuke , side even once. Even going so far as to wrap her kimono top around him. Leo wasn't' sure how they knew eachother, but he had seen that look in her eyes before.

The eyes of a mother.

It was the same look that Raph said he had. Only not said nearly as nicely. How had the NightWachter put it? "you look seconds from lactating?' Aw Raph ever the poet. Leo reached over to the fire and picked back up the fish on a stick, biting into the fish-

"Sasuke!"

Leo almost choked, spitting the delicious bite out of his mouth, sending the entire fish over the cliffs edge and down below

Aw dam it

Wait, Sasuke! Leo twisted around and climbed into the cave, his adopted father was already up on his knees while Katsuichi was by the fox's side. Though Leo knew the fox hadn't been dead this was still a strange sight to see the fox moving. Leaning heavily against Kaede's arm, head on her shoulder. Honestly Leo was surprised he was still sitting up, what with being immobile for so long. Wait. The kitsune was talking!

"-Th-the worlds are covered in a veil. B-By the Daimyo's doing" his voice was so weak, Leo wasn't sure what had kept Sasuke alive in the...weird place Katsuichi had told him about, but it hadn't kept him alive by much. Judging by the way Kaede was putting bread into his hands, shaking so bad Leo wasn't sure he wasn't going to bite his finger. His voice broken and sore, but that could of been from chugging the water so fast "I-I found his world though. I found a beacon. He's safe for now, but, but we need to hurry-"

"WE will." thank the spirits Kaede was talking, it had unnerved Leo to have her silent for so long, "You have one day to build back up your strength but then we are out of here. Alright?"

What? "Hai, sensei." how was a day long enough for anyone to walk again? When Donatello recovered from one of his fevers it took him nearly a week to be able to walk well again. Or keep any decent amount of food down. But Donatello had been born prematurely and suffered for it with his lungs. While Sasuke seemed to be perfectly healthy.

Still, this kitsune had risked his life, given up a month to search for Donatello the second he knew the little I-sha was in danger

how did this kitsune know Donatello? OR Raphael? Or Kaede-

Speaking of which, Kaede had given Sasuke to Katsuichi's shoulder to lean on. Helping support his weight as the badger climbed past Leo. Barely giving him a glance, "Mother?" he tried to catch her attention , "Kaede-"

Kaede was already kneeling by her bag, taking out a familiar black cloak and wrapping it around her shoulder, obscuring her form," Come Leonardo, we have a day to get back to this spot, I know you lost your horse but you must be strong anyway. Alright?"

"I-Mother! Mother where are we going?" but she was already sliding down the slide of the cliff. Spirits that woman ran on her own time. She could of atleast gotten her kimono top back, but the black cloak had already sent tension into his gut. Tight. He knew that cloak. Even as she turned around, her black eyes shining from the deep of her hood. He knew that look

"We're going to steal a star."

The Real NightWatcher was on the hunt

---

a/n

---

Hey guys, I bet you noticed something different about this chapter. Not only is it in the OBNOXIUSLY long chapter I miss doing. But it involves so many other worlds now. You see, I know it took me FOREVER to update, but in that time I was coming up with so many ideas for what this chapter should be. And I was going to go the route of 'oh cool I can see all the tmnt movies!" but then I thought about it, and I thought about my favorite ninja turtle verses. And honestly? They weren't the ones on tv or comic books (still love them, don't get me wrong) but the fact was my FAVORITE tmnt verses came from Fanfiction and fan artists, I loved the worlds created by us more then anything. So I did something that scared me more then anything, I went to my favorite au's and artists and asked their permission to show their turtles world in my story. And I went into it thinking ' they're all going ot say no but that's OK!" but the scary thing was? They all said YES. So that meant I actually had to make this a reality.

And that scared me so much, so much so that I even named this chapter after my personal word thingy I say whenever I'm scared and dont think I can do anything. But I got it done!To do justice to the writers and artists whose work I loved so much.

Yinllers adorable and awesome EthaNathan undoubtedly the BEST oc's ever made! But that's just a TINY taste of their creative awesomeness!, 10yrsy's awesome au with adorable baby turtles and long tails! They actually made a April I DIDN'T hate! And a snake I REALLY wanna meet!( do NOT mistype that if you look for their work, you'll find something totally scare and unrelated to them) XIIIth Hazard's totally awesome sci-fi world that made my heart ache right in the feels and Mendeia's midevil archaic world with their terrifying Beast Shredder! Have you seen that guy!? Seriously terrifying! And worhty of being one of the BEST Shredder's I've ever seen! If not THE best. I so badly wanted to add more from their worlds into this, maybe i will get a chance to in the future.

But I also did this for my readers, I know i've been loose and ditzy lately (not that I'm not ditzy all the time, but this is worse) and this chapter is also my way of thanking YOU my beautiful readers for being so patient with me. Even if there's only one reader left, I still want to thank you :)

Yeah I know, it seems long winded and stupid to say all this. But I feel like this is the only way to show my true support of these amazing writers and artists. ( well there's one not in here but hopefully I'll hear back from them soon. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) and this is the best way to do it. So THANK YOU for all the hard work you all have done and most importantly for sharing it with us. I'll be sure to put down credits below my translations so you all know who goes where if you want to go see why I think these guys are so awesome! And I hope I've done you all justice!

Translation:

Raion: lion

Nani: What?

Orokana seishinbyō rōjin: Stupid psychotic old man!

Raisuhowaito River-(WHERE THE HELL DID THIS TRANSLATION GO?! I HAD ONE AND NOW ITS GONE!)

Jo: Japanese measurement of length

Otouto: Little Brother

Fundoshi: Feudal Japanese underwear

Didi: Chinese for younger brother, Sasuke spent ALOT of time in another certain world

samurai-ko: the added "ko" makes this mean "Child Samurai." Katsuichi is teasing Leo when he says this

Geta: Wooden sandal, also worn by Jirayah in Naruto

Namahage: demon like creature of Japanese folklore

Kuma: bear

Hebi: Snake

Credits

Mikey and Raph (looking for the fake flower) 10yrsy "I dont think her au has a name" but gave me permission to make up this scene,

EthaNathan (baby version! Too cute) Yinller "Where are you?" Universe comics,

Beast Shredder: Mendeia "Bonds of Honor"

Raph and Donnie panic attack and boat quote" XIIIth Hazard "The Walls We Build Series" also gave me some custom content that came in handy for this chapter!

Now to go puke! Not lying when i said i was scared