Turtle tot part 2 Thief and the turtle.

Summary: In which Mikey steals and Raph has a new turtle.

Mikey is the first to wake up.

He must have felt asleep shortly after crying out his eyes. He noticed the family is still around him fast asleep themselves. He wonders what he should do his family didn't get to experience normal things until they we're older enough to go outside. April and Casey mainly helped them with supplies and there hadn't always been enough food to go around when they had been younger.

Mikey looked up at his father and noticed the wise rat was sleeping soundly without making a noise Mikey duck underneath his brother's arms and worked himself out from his father grip. Sneaking out of the dojo going unnoticed. He is glad that he is still silent on his feet. He was plotting to leave the lair but come back with some much-needed supplies he does not want his family to go hungry. When he was younger, he didn't know any better and it wasn't until when he was older when he found out his family would leave food on his plate even if they would go without half of their meal.

This time things would be different he was going to look after them like his family did for him in the last timeline it was the least, he could do. Leaving a note in the dojo that explained he would be back and there isn't any need to worry Mikey leaves the lair he finds a ladder that leads to a man hole. He knows this one will end up in an alleyway, away from human eye. In his timeline humans ended up getting used to mutants like Mikey, but that was only after the Foot was seen more. Even then some humans thought Mikey and his brothers had been the bad guys until after Donnie died did, they noticed that not all ninjas are after their heads.

Mikey couldn't take that risk though. People had been desperate for help anybody that could fight was good enough since Foot bots had also been upgraded to take little effect from bullets. Bombs had also been added into the war and the government didn't want to blow up a whole city just to save the state itself, which would end up as a poor choice since it was allowed the Foot clan to move into other places around the world and do the same damage in every place they went. Mikey would have to stay hidden, but this would be the perfect time to test himself to see how much his younger body could do.

It was dark in New York by the time Mikey head popped out of the manhole. He placed the lid back in its spot and stayed closed to the wall. He can't steal from shops, but he could steal from people. Beside he wouldn't be taking much for them to noticed, just some food and objects that his family might need.

What are you doing?

He froze in his spot he was hearing a voice inside his head that sounded a lot like Tang Shen.

"Clearly talking to myself out loud," he said to himself.

Not that my son. I meant what are you doing out? My lover would be worried once he noticed you are gone.

"I left a note."

He did he left a note saying he would be back it wasn't as if he was running away or anything.

Your planning on stealing, aren't you?

"We need something else to eat other than the stuff we grew up on. Real food was hard to come by I'm not letting my family live like that again."

So, you're going to steal and my son you do not need to speak out loud to answer me. It would look very strange when you are at home speaking to yourself.

"Will in case you don't know mum, it's not every day you hear voices in your head from your dead mother."

I will teach you. Psychic abilities are not that odd for you. Your friend April had them when she was alive and you, yourself at one point in life had supernatural gifts at one point in time.

"Don't really want them back either."

He didn't want to deal with that part of his life again if he could help it. Another reminded of what life used to be like in his timeline he didn't really like those reminders.

My son you are trying to escape the past.

Mikey loved his family he did and even though he didn't know her when she was alive that well he still loved his mother. The point was, he didn't want his dead mother speaking to him through his mind not now. He was busy looking for things to steal. He found a place that didn't seem to have anybody in it at the moment he made sure the apartment didn't have any security before opening up the window.

My sunshine I really wish you didn't.

His family needed supplies he would worry about items later for now he gathered some food, everything his arms could carry before ducking out and closing the window behind. He was so grounded after this making himself back down to the lair and checking behind him over a dozen times. Mikey was pretty pleased with himself.

"Mikey!"

He jumped at his name being called dropping the food onto the floor from shock before shooting his brothers a glare.

"Bros, really? Did you really have to shout?"

His brothers didn't answer. They just glared at him Mikey was starting to feel nervous. Which was ridiculous. He's fought mutants, he dealt with alien life, countless of ninjas and now he was nervous because of his brothers. Granted he hadn't been yelled at in years.

"And where have you been?" Master Splinter asked standing behind his three children.

"Places," Mikey said with a smile.

"Places?" Splinter asked with a raised fur eyebrow.

Splinter glanced at the food picking up an apple from the ground and glaring at his youngest son.

"And, these places have food. My son did you steal?"

I warned you. His, mother voice said to him.

"Shut up," Mikey whispered.

His voice wasn't low enough though Splinter had caught it.

"Michelangelo."

Oh, right Splinter can't hear her only he could man he did look crazy. What was he going to say? Sorry dad wasn't talking to you just some voice in my head that says she's my mother and your late wife.

"I was out," Mikey admitted. "Getting some stuff for you guys."

"My sons please leave your brother I wish to speak to him alone."

"Ha you're in-trouble Mike," Raph said.

Raph was lightly punched in the arm by Leo before the three of them slowly moved out of the room. Mikey was pretty sure they only went outside just to listen. Master Splinter placed the apple on the counter top of the kitchen. They didn't speak for a while, Mikey refused to meet Splinter glaze.

He is only worried for you.

"My son, what have I told you about stealing?"

"That I shouldn't do it and its wrong."

"Then why have you gone to this length?"

"Because we need food and I want to help look after the family too Master Splinter. I know you disapprove, but we can't keep living the way we do. I know that you guys sometime sneak food onto my plate when I'm not looking. And, I wasn't even caught when I did it. I'm very careful and it isn't like I'm taking something that's going to be missed."

Splinter hummed as he pulled at his beard.

"Please dad, I want to help to. I know I'm the baby of the family but that doesn't mean the youngest can't pull their weight around."

"I frown upon this my son." Splinter looked at the food. "But you are corrected. Very well I will allow this to continue."

"Yes," Mikey cheered.

"But."

"Ah man." Mikey groaned he should have seen this coming.

"I have some rules. Rule one, do not let anybody see you, rule two do not get caught. Rule three come home within an hour."

"An hour?"

"Yes, when you are older, we can make the time longer for now an hour. Rule four always tell me before you leave."

"I did leave a note." Mikey pointed out.

Splinter held out the very note with a disappointing frown.

"A note that has a little more detail and not just saying I will be back."

I be back later, love you don't worry, the letter said and Mikey shyly grinned.

"Rule five only you may do this my son. It is clear to me that you are cable of doing this but I do not wish for your brothers to follow you just yet. And, the last rule."

Mikey found himself being hugged he returned it.

"Come home safe."

Mikey flashed a smile.

"I will sensei."

With some food in the kitchen Master Splinter was able to make a meal his brothers had been able to enter the room again, but they didn't at all seem impressed. Mikey got a feeling that Raph was jealous since he was sure his older brothers had overheard the conversation. Mikey helped his father around in the kitchen and any form of jealously went away once the meals were done. Mikey hadn't had a good meal in what seemed to be forever.

Meals had been hard to come by they couldn't set up camp without being noticed and Mikey had been forever on the move only stopping to eat small meals. He loved eating he really did, but his mind wasn't used to the idea of a full meal yet and he only ate small bites which didn't seem to help his family with the amount of worry looked sent his way.

Mikey would go out of the lair at least once a week and he would always take things from different part of the cities, sometimes it wasn't just food though. Sometimes he would get his older brothers some stuff mainly toys that seem to be unloved or tossed out by kids in the city. His brothers seemed pleased with them especially Donnie when Mikey was able to find him some books about machines and even found some all tool box as will.

It's during his time away from the lair does he find something or someone.

"Spike?" Mikey questioned.

The little turtle looked at him. Mikey was still in the tunnels and had left the lair to gather some new items for his family. He wasn't expecting to find a normal Spike in his last life time it was Raph that did. Spike would end up becoming Slash he was one of the first mutants to go down by the Foot after Leo death.

"You know my big brother would really love you."

He grinned at the thought of having Spike around again and picking up the little turtle he went back to the lair.

"My son you are early?" Master Splinter as the moment he entered the lair.

"I haven't gotten anything yet Master Splinter. I just found this guy isn't he cute?"

Holding Spike up into his hands as if the turtle was some sort of jewelry.

"It's a turtle," Mikey said proudly.

"Yes," Master Splinter said clearly seeing the turtle in his son's hands.

"Can I give it to Raphie?"

This caught Splinter of guard a little he was full expecting Michelangelo to ask for permission in keeping his new found friend and not giving it to his older brother.

"And, why do you wish to give it to Raphael?"

"Because Raph can look after it better than I can. Please papa?"

He really did miss his puppy dog eyes and now that he has a reason to use them, he's using them more often because it was just so much fun to see his family break under his own expression.

"Are you sure your brother is up to the task?"

"Yep."

It was a no brainer despite Raph big tough guy personality he was always a big softie at heart. Beside Spike was Raph friend in Mikey timeline even after Spike ended up as Slash.

"Hmm."

"Master Splinter?" Leo asked walking up to them. He noticed the turtle in Mikey hand. "Little brother I know you get food for us to eat but I don't really want turtle."

Mikey poked out his tongue.

"It's not for you to eat. It's for Raphie."

"What' for Raph?" Donnie asked walking in and stopping to stare at the little turtle in Mikey hand. "He looks odd."

Master Splinter chuckled at this.

"He is a turtle my son. Just like you had been at one point in time before you had been changed into my sons."

"You mean we we're that small?" Donnie asked he was about to poke Spike before Raph entered.

"What that?"

"A turtle," Leo answered.

"For Raphie," Mikey added.

He was waiting for Raph to take Spike off his hands but he supposed he must have forgotten some things about his older brother long after Raph had died.

"Why would I want that thing?" Raph asked frowning.

Mikey knew Raph didn't mean it Raph never did like showing off his caring side but the words stung a little.

"It not a thing," Mikey said. "He's a turtle. And I thought you would want it because you take care of me and Donnie."

"Yeah, will I don't."

"Raphael," Master Splinter said.

"It's alright," Mikey said sadly. He placed Spike on the floor. "I just thought it would be a cool gift for big brother Raphie but I supposed not. See you guys, I'm going to get some supplies."

Without looking back Mikey left the lair.

Raph felt a little guilty but he was still mad at his baby brother for changing so much overnight. Mikey rarely seemed like himself anymore and he was more focus. His baby brother didn't laugh as much and even the smiles had been hard to come by. He wasn't eating a whole lot anymore and often kept to himself inside his mind like he was having a whole conversation with only what Mikey could hear. Raph missed the old version of his baby brother his baby brother wouldn't be asking Raph to look after the small turtle. Mikey would have been asking Splinter if he could keep it which is why Raph said no.

If Mikey wanted the small turtle then Mikey should have just said so. He didn't need to lie to Splinter just to keep it.

"Raph that was mean," Leo said. "I think you really hurt him that time and he's going topside without us. He might not be thinking clearly maybe he might get hurt or worst because of what you said."

Raph found unfair that Mikey himself was the only one outside to his baby brother shouldn't have that task. Master Splinter always said it was the oldest that was meant to look after the young and not the other way around. It didn't help that Raph didn't like the worry that would go through him every time Mikey left the lair.

"It was uncalled for Raphael. When your brother returns, I wish for you to try and say sorry to him. You know your brother tends to take your words to heat."

"That not my brother."

"I big your pardon."

"He not Master Splinter because my brother doesn't act the way that one does. He all, all, all."

What was the word he was looking for?"

"Change?" Donnie helped out.

"Shut up Don yeah change. It's like he grown up overnight and he isn't laughing as much or smiling and I know he has trouble sleeping and he doesn't talk to us as much anymore either. And his eyes look really sad to."

It was all true sometimes Raph would wake up in the middle of the night only to see Mikey staring at the wall and hugging his knees. Other nights Mikey would wake them all up with screams and cry himself back to sleep because of scary dreams that won't leave his baby brother alone.

"I understand Raphael your worry and his dreams have become a problem in his life."

"Why won't he let us help him?" Donnie asked looking at the small turtle on the floor. "He used to talk to me all the time but then he just stopped. I don't get it dad."

"Your brother is dealing with a difficult time even as young as him. We cannot force him though for that will only send fear into him. We just need to remined him that we are there for him and maybe start to appreciate him some more by accepting his gifts."

Raph mumbled understanding what Splinter meant and he looked at the little turtle.

"I supposed."

After all, how hard can one turtle be?

Raph waited. He waited with the new turtle in his hands and he waited for his baby brother to come home. Raph hated waiting he wished Mikey would take someone, but Splinter said Mikey was able to get the job done quicker alone. Since Mikey had proven he could do it on the first day he ran off and Raph didn't like that day because his baby brother was sad and the next time Raph opened his eyes his baby brother was missing. Raph tried to asked Mikey what the matter was but Mikey wouldn't tell him anything. So, he was just wondering what kind of bad dreams had Mikey so effect to become this strange turtle.

Mikey didn't come home. Mikey wasn't meant to be out as long as this which is why Raph got worried.

"Something happened."

"We don't know for sure Raph," Leo said.

"Yeah, will Mikey always come home on time before always have and now the first time he didn't something is wrong."

"He might only be two minutes late," Donnie pointed out. "Wait, how long has been gone for?"

"He's two seconds late then normal."

His brothers looked at him strangely but Mikey was never late when it came to coming home. He used to be late for training, but that stop because now he was the first one there. Mikey always listened to Splinter rule to and being two second late is still something to worry about.

"Two seconds?" Leo asked.

"It's now three seconds," Raph counted.

He expected his father to walk in then but the rat didn't. Raph knows that Master Splinter is in mediation but he normally arrived in the room waiting for the youngest to return home.

"It's now four seconds."

"I got the food," Mikey sang song entering the lair.

All three older brothers looked at Mikey.

"What did I miss?"

"Raph said your late by four seconds," Donnie said.

Mikey looked at Raph with a serious expression Raph didn't like that look on his baby brother face but the next thing he knows Mikey laughed. Raph hadn't heard that laughter in a while and he couldn't help but grin.

"Dude, sorry about that. I tripped on the way here and had to gather everything up again."

"You okay?" Donnie asked. "Just a boo-boo?"

"Yeah Dee."

Mikey showed them his knee and waved it around. It didn't look like much just a small stretch. Master Splinter had entered the room again and with the help everything was pack away in their spots, Raph was able to get Mikey all to himself because he wanted to say something to his baby brother.

"Mike, we need to talk."

"Is everything okay Raphie?"

"Don't call me that and yeah. I just wanted to say sorry, I was a big jerk back there."

"It's alright I know you didn't mean it."

Raph still had the small turtle in his hands that he decided he was going to keep, but he couldn't find enough bravely to do so. Which was silly if you asked turtle tot, Raph because his baby brother was able to do a lot more then Raph could and a lot braver then Raph was. Since Raph couldn't even bring himself to speak to his own brother.

"Mikey I'm um."

"You keeping the new turtle?" Mikey asked.

Raph nodded his head.

"Yeah. He's kind of alright and Splinter said he teach me how to look after it for a while until I get the hang of it."

"That's great bro. What are you doing to call him?"

"I don't know."

Raph wasn't very good with names Mikey was Mikey even named all his toes.

"How about Spike?"

He grinned he liked that name it sounded cool.

"Yeah okay Spike it is?"

Mikey was happy Raph could see it with the smile his brother had flashed. Raph was just happy that his baby brother was still there even if he seemed to change.

"Love you Raphie."

Raph groaned the moment he was hug.

Note: Because we all need some Mikey and Raph moment. Their still turtle tots at the moment I know they don't speak like little kids but I'm awful with the wording for kid talk so you're just going to have to roll with it. Thanks to everybody that been reading this, I have two more chapters planned that will take place in their turtle tot years. Before a time skip taking them into the teenagers we know them to be.