Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. Been real busy as of late, but thankfully things are slowing down enough. Also I had to change this chapter up a few times. Things will definatly take a different turn for the characters, you'll see at the end. I hope you all like what happens. Enjoy.

Chapter 19: Memories

Silence filled the lair as nothing could be seen or hear, except for the occasional drip of water. The lights within the lair dim, due to failing electricity that went unchecked for over a year. The pipes above started to drip water and were in need of patching, something the three brothers weren't up to doing yet. Things around the home continued to fall apart, going on without repair. Yet no one cared, they couldn't focus on their home, not yet.

Mikey's eyes were closed, breathing shaky as he stood in front of an all too familiar door. He had been standing for an undetermined amount of time, trying to work up the courage to finally open the door to his brother's room. An area that has been left unattended for over a year, an area that would bring so much pain.

Yet after so much time the orange clad turtle finally found that it was time to go in there. He wasn't sure why, something just told him to do so. "Come on Mikey…you can do it, it's just a door…to your best friend's room," Both eyes shed a tear as he thought of this, the same pain he felt all this time resurfacing.

His hand clenched as he reached forward and slowly the door to the room opened, revealing light into it after so long. Both of his blue eyes scanned the inside, his breathing increasing as he saw inside.

The room was fairly clean, multiple cabinets were set up against the wall, most likely stuffed with documents. A desk with a desktop computer sat on the other side, most likely used for his brother's most personal uses. A dry erase board hung on the wall, and finally Don's bed, which was made. Everything in the room covered in a thick layer of dust, obviously indicating that it went unused.

The sea green turtle's head started to swirl as memories of his time in here came back. The times when he came in after having nightmares, and Donny offering him sanctuary for the night. Whenever he needed advice for problems he would always come, or just for the times he wanted to hang out. All those memories surging back as his head spun, moving more into the room, until he bumped into the bed, and unconsciously sat down on the mattress. More tears came out as he realizes this.

"Mikey?" a voice caused him to jump.

Both eyes looked at the door, where he found Leo, "Oh…I didn't see you."

"What are you-" Leo got cut off as he realized he was about to cross into his younger brother's room. The same feeling that Mikey had earlier now happening in the blue clad turtle. Both eyes closed as he tried to recompose himself, trying to cross into the room as well.

"Sorry…I just thought…it was time you know," Mikey responded softly, looking down at the dust covered floor.

"Yeah…I had similar thoughts," Leo responded as he finally crossed the threshold, entering the room. A strange feeling shot through him as he remained in the room, not really feeling good at all. His hand pressed up to his face, trying his best not to break down. "I…I thought I'd never step in here again."

"You can say that again," They both turned to see Raph leaning on the doorway, looking at them both. "I guess…it was finally time we reached this point."

"I know…but I think it was a mistake," Mikey responded as another tear slid down.

"Why do you say that?" Leo asked.

"It just…feels wrong…just like when we entered his lab."

"But that was for a reason," Raph defended. "This time it's just personal."

Leo then looked around the room as silence overtook them, getting the chance to admire what is inside. "Donny is always one for having part of his lab in his room. Even when he was in here he never stopped his work."

"Brainiac never knew when to quit," Raph responded.

"I know, and…what the?" Mikey rose an eye. He was kicking his leg back and forth and his ankle hit something. Getting off the bed and kneeling down the sea green turtle looked underneath and saw a box. Curiosity got the best of him as he reached forward and pulled it out.

Leo and Raph moved closer and looked at the open box. "Do you think we should be touching his stuff?" Leo asked, not sure if it was a good idea.

"What the?" Raph then said as they all saw video tapes inside. All of them neatly placed and labeled.

"What are these?" Mikey asked as he pulled one out.

"Tapes obviously," Raph responded. "But the better question is what's on them?"

Leo then took the tape Mikey had and looked at the label, reading it out loud, "First time recording."

Just then Mikey picked up the box, "Come on."

They watched as their younger brother headed for the door. "What are you going?" Raph asked out of confusion.

"I have a good idea of what this is," Mikey responded as he exited the room, his brothers right behind him.

A minute later they were in front of the TVs, well actually TV. Over the course of a year most of the TV's started to break, and since they couldn't fix them they remained broken. Only one TV remained, and thankfully it was the big one they had. Also luckily the DVD and VCR still worked, but they didn't use them often in fear that they would break them.

They all stood, or rather sat down on the couch as Mikey picked up a tape, the one Leo had read earlier. "Well…lets see if this is what I think it is," he said, moving to the VCR.

"And what would that be?" Raph asked, leaning forward on the couch.

"Yeah, I'm curious as well," Leo second, leaning back.

The sea green turtle stood in front of the VCR, shell to his brothers as he remained motionless for a few seconds. Taking the chance to breath for a bit to recompose himself, willing himself to do this. "Memories," was all he said as he pushed the tape in, the TV turning on as he moved back to the couch.

A few seconds passed as the screen turned black, followed by white snow. Then slowly an image of a brick wall, with pipes lined on it appeared on and off till it cleared up.

"I think it's working" A young voice was heard, shocking the three brothers. The realization of what's happening now hitting them.

Just then it was confirmed as a familiar purple bandanna appeared on the screen. A tear shed down from their eyes as they saw the face of a child version of Donatello appear on the screen.

"Yup, it's working," the young Donatello confirmed as he smiled.

"How do you know?" Another young voice asked, as a child Michelangelo appeared on the screen.

"The manual said that the red light turns on when it's recording."

"But how is it recording?" Mikey scratched his head. "And how do we know anything is getting recorded?"

"Believe me it is," Don smiled.

"My sons, what do you have there?" they all heard Splinter's voice. The picture then showed their father, a curious look on his face. The three were amazed at how young looking their sensei looked, making them surprised as to how much time had passed.

"Master Splinter, it's the camcorder you found, I fixed it!" Donny's voice happily said.

"You did?" Their sensei said, a bit amazed as the screen showed the rat taking the camera and looking it over. "It seems you did, very good my son."

"Thank you Master Splinter," Don said as the camcorder was handed back to him. "Luckily I also found some tapes, so now we can record anything we want."

"Interesting, this may be something that will benefit us," Splinter said as his smiling face filled the screen.

"Hey lets show Leo and Raph this," Mikey excitingly said as he tried for the camera.

"Mikey be careful, it's easily broken…and let me turn it off first," The screen then turned black, but then the video paused. The three brothers were still shocked at what they saw, hearing their brother's voice after so long. Also realizing that Don had kept all the tapes that contain memories of their childhood and other moments through their lives.

"I thought those were lost," A voice from behind made them jump. Turing they were surprised to see Master Splinter secretly watching the whole thing, the fur around his eyes wet, which showed that he'd be tearing up, most likely from the video.

"Master Splinter…you saw the whole thing?" Leo asked for all of them.

He nodded, "Yes…" Both of his eyes closed as he let out an uneasy sigh, another tear falling. "It's…been too long since I heard Donatello's voice…even if it was when he was a child."

"We know sensei," Raph responded.

The rat then moved forward and both eyes looked upon the box of tapes, both eyes rose in surprise. "Where did you find these?"

"We…uh…" Mikey started to say, adverting his eyes. Now they started to feel bad about entering their brother's room.

Leo then took over, "We…went into Don's room…and found them." After that there was silence, all eyes now on their sensei as they waited to see what his reaction would be.

He looked at them all, with neutral eyes for a while, but eventually he sighed, "It was only a matter of time."

"You're not angry?" Raph asked in surprise.

"No," he responded, going over to the recliner and taking a seat. "It's only…natural that you would do it soon."

"We thought it was time…" Leo responded as he looked down at the box. "And I'm glad we did, or else we wouldn't have found this."

"We…we were going to watch some of these…would you…" Mikey started to ask but Splinter answered.

"I would love to join you," He smiled, something he hasn't done in a long while. "It is a good idea for us to take time off once more, and not stress ourselves. This will be a perfect outlet for us to relax and put our minds at ease."

"Yeah…we all agree," Leo responded as he and his brothers look though the tapes again, looking at the various labels to see which one would be good to watch next.

"Huh…what's this?" Raph asked as he pulled up an older looking tape. Turning it on the side he read the label. "Watchful father…"

They all then looked at their father, who had a confused look on his face. He too was puzzled at what this could mean. Lowering them he spoke, "Why not see what it is."

None of them said anything as Raph then moved to eject the current tape and replaced it with the new one. They all sat back and watched as it played, at first seeing the white snow but then it started to clear up.

The first thing that is show is a young Splinter, who seemed to be holding the camera and filming himself. "Hmm…Donatello said that it's working when the red light is on."

The three brothers and even Splinter chuckled as they watched him fiddle around with the device. After a minute of watched the screen record various things around the old lair the young rat just sighed. "I guess it is recording…Well…I'm not sure what to do…my name is Splinter and I recently became the father of four turtles after an incident…"

"I remember this," Splinter then said as the video kept playing in the back ground, his sons looking over at him.

"What is it?" Mikey asked.

The rat leaned back in the chair as he recollected the memory. "When you four were asleep, I decided to do a recording…just to get some practice on how to work it. And…you'll just have to watch it."

"Why?"

"You'll see my sons," was all Splinter said as they all looked back at the TV.

The Splinter on camera finished with the story but then pointed the camera at a door. The padding of feet walking as the door came closer until it opened slowly, letting small light into a dark room. It was then the four brothers, as children were shown sleeping on small mats, covered and looked peaceful.

"My sons…my wonderful sons," Splinter spoke off camera as a sniffle could be heard. "You four are my only family…after I last my master Yoshi…" Splinter's hand then reached out and softly rubbed their shells, not rousing them at all. "Just when he was taken from me…you four came into my lives…filling the void he had left inside of me…"

Leo, Mikey and Raph stared at the video, touched at what their father was saying to them when they were little. They had no idea something like this had happened, or didn't know their father was saying this like this. It really captured their attention as they continued to watch.

Splinter watched along with his sons, smiling at the memory playing before him. Remembering how this was the night he made a lifelong promise to not only himself but to his new children as well.

"I promise…with everything in my power…that I will protect you four…even if it cost me my life," More sniffles could be heard off screen, obviously Splinter was getting choked up off screen as he filmed. "I don't ever want to lose any one of you…" With that the screen turned to black, the recording ending.

Both of Splinter's eyes were closed as a tear fell from his eye, the memory really bringing things close to home. For what was supposed to be a happy moment only brought dread to him. A long sigh came out as he rub his face, "And I failed that promise…"

The three looked at their father, sadden faces all over them as they heard him say this. They didn't want him to blame himself, not when they were at fault in this.

"No sensei, you didn't," Leo said.

"It was our fault mostly," Raph said next.

"I promised to protect all my children…and I didn't even managed to do that," Splinter's eyes closed as depression sat in. "It's…just hard to come to the realization that a lifelong promise has been broken. It doesn't matter if I wasn't there, the choices I made that lead to this is what matters."

The brothers then realize that their father is still blaming himself for Donny's capture and disappearance. They thought he was starting to feel better from that but apparently those feelings were still being harbored.

"Please master Splinter…stop…we don't blame you and we're going to get him back," Mikey said.

They were about to respond but got interrupted when they heard a party streamer go off. They all looked over at the TV and saw the screen changed to something else.

"Happy Birthday Donny!" the three young turtles said to their brother.

"Happy Birthday my son," Splinter said happily.

"Thank you guys," Don responded with a smile.

The young olive green turtle sat with his family with a cake in front of him. A few candles lit as he waited for a second before blowing them out.

The whole family watched with smiles as they saw the birthday recording. That was something about their family, they didn't know when exactly when they were born so they chose a day in a month to be their birthday. And ever since Don repaired the camera their father always made sure to record the special moments, only when they had the tapes for it.

"What did you wish for?" Mikey asked.

"I can't tell you or it won't come true," Don said.

"Come on, just a little hint?" The youngest kept begging his brother.

"Michelangelo, if your brother doesn't want to say, you should respect it," The young Splinter said as he cut the cake.

"It's alright sensei," Don said as he looked at his young brother. "Lets just say…that it has to do with all of is."

Everyone smiled at the scene, knowing that was a part of Don's caring nature. He would forgo his own self and do what he could for his family, even if it meant nothing would be given back to him. That's what always made him so special.

So the four ended up watching the tapes together, on and on for hours. They all enjoyed the memories that were recorded, since it was a well welcomed break from their usual search. Even though it wasn't Don in person, they enjoyed being able to see or hear him in any kind of way.

Donatello sighed as he stared at the long hallway before him, trying to will himself to walk down it. He had been told that Shredder wanted to see him in his main office area, and he was taking his time doing so. A whole lot of things processing through his mind as so much time had passed.

Right after completing his first assassin contract Don took some time to recompose himself before hightailing it out of there. But he made sure to wipe any prints of his so nothing would show up, and left. Afterwards he ran, and kept running till he couldn't move anymore.

The kill still fresh on his mind as he tried to comprehend what he truly did. He wanted to do something to take his mind off it, but unfortunately it didn't work. His mind kept replaying the events, still not believing it. He had assassinated someone he didn't know, because he was asked to. He did it, easily. So for the next few hours he remained out in the city, thinking things over. This was his new role, and he would continue doing it, even though he didn't like it. Only to repay the kindness Shredder had shown him.

Time flew fast as he thought of these things, and soon dawn approached. Acting hastily he made his way back to Foot HQ and made it back to his room. He had trouble sleeping but managed it after blocking out the guy's image. Once he woke up there was a letter instructing him that Shredder wanted to see him. After seeing it was passed noon, he figured it was best to get it over with.

Which lead to right now, staring at the long hall, which he had been down a few times. Finally mustering the nerve he started to walk down the path. It was surprising that the last time he came down this path it was filled with traps. But now he was going down it with no problems since he was actually welcomed. Nothing but the paper walls, and hardwood floor.

Thoughts of what Shredder would want filled his head, most likely to talk about his contract killing. He was still uncomfortable about it but would still talk about it. But only if it was Shredder he was talking to about it. A minute later he stood in front of the door, taking a minute to compose himself before knocking. A few seconds passed before he was allowed entry.

Walking in he found himself in the large room at the top of the building. Looking forward he found Shredder sitting behind his desk, his eyes now locked on with him. Moving forward he got closer till he was a few yards away. He watched as Shredder stood up. Don then kneeled down and sat on his legs, head bowed.

"Junko…welcome back," Shredder spoke. "I assume with you not being here last night that he attempted your first assignment, right?"

"Yes," Don responded in a low voice.

"And did you complete it?"

"Yes sensei," He responded once more.

Oroku just smiled, "I know you did so." He then turned the monitor of his computer around so Don could see. There was something already on, but it was paused. It looked like a news report, which played with one click. The female reporter speaking.

"…Emergency services were called when a citizen phoned in and announced that his friend had died. Trevor Danson, CEO of Danson pharmaceuticals was found dead in his home in the early morning hours. A fellow Co-worker reported that he stopped by the house to discuss a few business matters only for Trevor not to respond. Using a key that had been given to him fellow worker Darren entered the house and found his boss dead in his bed…"

Don continued to watch with interest as the report continued on. He tried to keep a neutral expression but the reminder of his kill started to haunt him once more. Even though he wanted to look away he kept watching.

"…the autopsy of the body revealed that Mr. Danson had a dangerous level of a pain reliever in his system which had been mixed with alcohol. Now it had been reported that Mr. Danson had been going through a rough patch as his company stocks dropped and looked as if it wasn't going to rise back up. And fellow workers reported that he had many other troubling problems going on in his life. Because of all this and police didn't find any evidence to suggest foul play that the death had been ruled a suicide…"

The news clip was then turned off by a smiling Oroku, who had been obviously by the news that just been played. Even though he saw the troubling look on the turtle's face, he kept up his excitement, knowing that he officially had a new assassin.

"You did wonderfully Junko," he approached the turtle, who remained seated on his legs, head still bowed. "Not only did you accomplish your task, but you managed to make it look like a suicide, something that'll definitely not attract attention to you."

"Thank you," Don bowed, still troubled.

"Is something wrong?" the smile left him, knowing the turtle had something bothering him.

"It's just…just…some feelings that are going through me, nothing to worry about," Don commented, he didn't want to trouble Shredder with his emotional problems.

"Are you-"

"Yes…I am," he kept protesting. There was silence for a second before Oroku nodded at the request.

"As you wish…now back to the previous topic, you did very well, exceeding my expectations. And like I said before you are to be rewarded for your actions," he then moved behind his desk. "Choose."

"What?" Don responded in confusion, "Choose what?"

"There has been many tech you may have had your eyes on which you hadn't been able to touch yet…well I'm allowing you to choose one that'll be yours, and you can examine it and make any kind of modifications to it that you want."

An expression of shock hits Don's face, his mouth open as he's left speechless. Being offered a chance to have one of the Foot's most advance tech in his possession. This excited him, and made him think about what he should get. All the cool stuff the Foot had are things he really wanted to get his hands on and see how they worked. And also he had possible improvements he could have made to them. He had to choose carefully, because he wasn't sure when he would get another chance like this.

"I see you are having trouble thinking about what it is you want," Oroku chuckled in amusement, seeing as if the turtle was a kid in a candy store. "Do not worry, think about it and it'll be granted."

"Thank you," Don nodded, smiling. At least he wasn't pressured to make the decision now. At least he could slowly go through which tech he wanted. But at least now he felt better about this meeting and could sense it ending.

"There is one more thing I should reward you with," Oroku spoke as he opened a drawl and took out a small box. Don raised and eye in confusion as he watched Shredder approach him.

"What are…"

"Junko, for almost a year you have shown me loyalty that I haven't seen in any of my men. You were weak when you were brought here, but after so many trials you came so far and now are much stronger than you were before. You have made me really proud of you, and shown me that I can trust you the most. Completing this first task I have given you only proves this further, which makes me happy to give this to you." He held the box out, which after hesitation the olive green turtle took.

The box, which now rested in Don's hands was black, and small, which caused him to question what could be in it. Wanting to find out he placed his right hand on the top and lifted the cover off. Both eyes widen as what was inside of it, body froze, breathing hitched and heart racing.

With a shaky hand he reached in and dropped the box as he pulled out a long piece of fabric, with familiar eye holes. It was a bandanna, just like his old purple one. It was exactly the same as the one that was burned right in front of him so long ago, but this one is much different.

The bandanna is black instead of purple, and the Foot symbol was stitched on the tips as well as right between the eyes. Don stared at the piece of fabric as he held it in his hands, still shocked as to what he held. It was basically a symbol of his role as a member of the Foot, something that he had been spending a lot of time fighting. All the hardships they had given him and his family and now he was being given a symbol to mark him as one.

"You have more than earned that Junko…I want you to wear it with pride," Oroku smiled as he watched the turtle's conflictions with the piece of cloth. If things went right he knew what would happen.

Don continued to stare at the bandanna in his hands, frozen as many emotions raced inside of him. Should he accept this, or not. The Foot had always been his enemy, but slowly he started to work for them, and now he's being given a symbol of his new role.

"I can accept this…it's wrong and…the Foot has been my enemy for so long! But…what stopped me from trying to leave? And why is it I didn't turn reject all the offers I've been given? No…I can't take it goes against everything I stood for, I can't be a member of the enemy…yet…Shredder has shown me that he's not that evil…he has shown me so much kindness…and never made me do something that made me feel uncomfortable. Yet he always given me a way out of the tasks he'd given me…and I have been working for them without a second thought. Plus he has been honest with me about my training."

The mental war continued on as Don leaned forward, eyes still glued to the fabric as Shredder watched him, a smile on his face.

"Once I make this decision…I can't go back…or can I? Still…acknowledging my place in the Foot ranks…that is unforgivable…but…what's the point? It's not like…I can go back to my original life…plus…what would happen if I refuse this? I don't want to find out…what do I do?"

This went on for a long while in silence, Don's mental battle going on as he was watched by Shredder, who never lost that smile of his. Soon the olive green turtle's head slowly rose up, a look of certainty on his face.

Slowly he moved the bandanna up, both hands resting on the long ties as he could see through the eye holes. He then brought it closer till it touched his skin. Slowly he then started to tie the cloth together into a knot. Sharply pulling the ties, the knot was formed and the bandanna had been secured.

Shredder's smirk got wider as he saw the decision that had been made, pleased by it. Looking at one another they pressed their hands together as both Junko and Oroku bowed to one another. The olive green turtle fully accepting his new role in the Foot.

A/N: Hope you like. Didn't see that coming huh? This is a part I've been waiting to write. And believe me things are going to get real interesting in the next chapter. I still have a lot of surprises left to offer. Like I've said before i'm going to finish this story, I promise that. Till next time.