Chapter 11: Where am I?

'Ugg' Wind let out a muffled hummff of discomfort as he fought against consciousness. Everything hurts. Everything. What happened? Wind wondered ruefully to himself. He felt like he was hit by a bus or a flying cow or something. Seriously, every part of his being ached! The exhaustion was almost palpable, grating on him terribly.

"What happened?" Wind asked himself, his eyes still closed. The warrior let himself walk down his recent memories trying to identify his source of pain.

His gut clenched in apprehension as the terrible fight came back to him. The rain, the ominous thunder, the ever advancing foot soldiers, the Shredder. Heart pounding Wind's thoughts wandered to Leo. There had been so much blood, and he'd left him. Had he found Leo's brothers. Mind swirling, memories sprang to his mind unbidden.

He must have collapsed after he led the red and purple turtles back through the sewers, it had taken every once of his strength to get there.

Was that where he was now? Back in their home. Where was Leo? Was his twin-like friend , alright?

Curiosity and apprehension prevailed against exhaustion and Wind found his tired eyes sliding open to take in his unfamiliar surroundings.

Blinking his heavy eyelids it took a moment to adjust to the dimly lit room. Wind found himself nestled snugly under the covers of a small bed in a modest but personable bed room.

Although few personal items filled the room he could see hints of the owner's personality in various details throughout the room.

Small devices and half finished projects lay scattered along shelves and even on the floor. A small bookcase sat packed to the brim with books all of which were well worn and loved. The most telling though were the pictures. Wind felt his heart clench as he looked at the framed photograph on the bedside table next to him. In the picture three turtles were huddled close together leaning in and smiling at the camera. Their eyes were bright and their arms were around each other. Wind swallowed past the lump in his throat as a familiar feeling of longing wheeled up. The three were obviously brothers. The brotherly love in their eyes spoke volumes of their closeness.

Hesitantly Wind reached out and touched the photo, the object of his longing. His heart aching for belonging. For family and closeness.

He was so very tired of being alone.

As he pulled back his hand, his sapphire eyes widened taking in the barness of his arm. Eyes wide he held out both arms scanning his bare arms where the amplifiers would be.

Logically he knew that the lightning had fried them but still their absence chilled him. They had been a gift from Mendon. They had been his connection to the Ortainians for so long now that he felt strangely bare without them. The Ortainian were no longer present to communicate with but still. Wind swallowed, for years it had been his voice, his way of talking with the trees, with the wind. Without it he'd be all alone. The trees were all he had left. Tears clouded his eyes as panic started to well.

Before his racing mind could continue down this path of panic a shifting at the end of the bed drew his thoughts to a grinding halt. Falling stone still Wind let his eyes focus on the lump at the end of the bed. In the dim light he'd assumed it was a pile of pillows; as the form shifted, turning as if trying to get comfortable that illusion was shattered.

The figure was bent over the bed, his head and shoulders resting against the covers, the rest of his body crumpled into the nearby chair.

Confusion flooded Wind as he started wide eyed at the turtle in front of him. He instantly recognized the red band, it was the first figure he'd run into when stumbling past the turnstiles.

Wind had frozen when he first found the other turtles; it was though time slowed down. This past week he'd been aware of the possibility of meeting other turtles like him, the inevitably of this encounter and yet he was completely unprepared when he came face to face with his own kind. His own kin.

Wind closed his eyes, regret filling him. He remembered the pain filled blue eyes of the orange clad turtle. Those baby blue eyes tore into his heart. Wind hadn't known how to react when the orange one lunged at him. It had been soo long since he'd been welcomed like that and yet..he'd been afraid. This wasn't his brother. The orange one had called out Leo's name not his.

Plus he had still been in a lot of pain from his fight with the Shredder and getting aid to Leo was first priority. Time had been of the essence so he had shoved his emotions down and dealt with the situation at hand.

Now those emotions arose again unbidden as he stared at the red clad turtle resting at the foot of the bed. Tears once again pooled in his sapphire eyes.

The turtle looked exhausted. Distantly, Wind wondered how long the red clad turtle had been sitting there. Glancing again toward the picture Wind registered the glass of water on the bedside table. Eyes darting back to the red clad turtle something clicked: he was sitting with him. Like a protector. A lump formed in Wind's throat at the realization.

Why? Did these turtles mistake him for Leo? They couldn't have! He led them right to him.

Maybe..maybe they weren't Leo's brothers, maybe they were…

Wind cut off that train of thought.

He didn't know what to think.

He barely wrapped his mind around Leo's explanation of things, honestly it was all still a whirlwind.

Leo. Did the blue clad turtle make it back to the lair? Did these turtles tend to his wounds? Wind let his eyes drift down to his arms, he would assume that answer was yes. These turtles had cared for him so obviously they must have tended to Leo as well.

His mind still churning he leaned back into the pillows, exhaustion still pulled at him. Wind's gaze rested thoughtfully on his apparent guardian. Each of the turtles had worn masks around their heads like that, even Leo. Each a different color. This turtle wore a red mask. What confused Wind was the band wrapped around his upper arm. It was sapphire blue like the color of Leo's mask. Wind couldn't remember the orange and purple clad turtles he saw yesterday wearing such bands. Was it only the red clad turtle then? Why?

Distantly he could hear voices and noise outside the room. Downstairs maybe?

"Carefully Mikey! You don't want to drop anything" came a high pitched worried voice.

"Pssh, like a turtle do Dee! It's been hours, I'm going to go see if he's awake!" Replied a chipper voice.

Wind perked his ears.

"Good thinking Mikey, at the very least Raph's got to eat."

"Ya" came the chipper voice again, this time more forlorn. "Raph hasn't left his side since we moved him…do you think he'll wake up soon?"

"I don't know Mikey, his body received a heavy shock. Between the beating he received and the high dosage of electricity that passed through his body..he's been through quite a lot. His body is just taking the time it needs to recover." Replied the worried voice.

Wind leaned back against the covers, his ears pricked. They were talking about him! His gaze shot back to the turtle in the chair. He hasn't left my side. The realization baffled him.

Before he had time to process these words further he heard the telltale sign of creekings steps as footsteps made their way closer.

Eyes wide, Wind watched as the door opened and an orange clad turtle stepped into the room, carrying a tray laden with soup. The turtle froze at the door, his baby blue eyes widening as his gaze met the very awake gaze of Wind's sapphire eyes.

Instinctively Wind let his mind reach out searching for a connection. Wind was quick to register that one, oh yeah the amplifiers were gone and two the mind he so vainly reached out toward was closed.

Without meaning to Wind let out a low whine of distress.

Something seemed to kick into gear for the orange clad turtle and a warm wide smile spread over his face. "Good morning sleepy head, it's good to see you awake!"

Wind could only stare dumbfoundedly as the orange clad turtle moved slowly forward, setting the tray on the bedside turtle and taking his own seat on the edge of the bed.

Wind's silence didn't seem to bother the turtle as he continued his own stream of monologue. His blue eyes shining like stars and his smile wide. "It's been like ages, man! I was really beginning to worry! But you have perfect timing! I just finished making lunch. Mmm, Chicken Noodle Soup!" Wind just blinked as he looked toward the two steaming bowls on the tray.

"Donnie said you'd probably still be asleep but I brought you one anyway. Which is good, I can't imagine sleeping that many hours without food you must be starving!"

Distantly, Wind noted that yes he was hungry and growing up in the wilderness and on the move he learned that you never turn away a meal when available. But Wind was more captivated by the chatty turtle by his side. Despite Wind's original apprehension the orange clad turtle seemed to have a natural ability of putting Wind right at ease. Wind felt comfortable in the other's presence, he appreciated the string of monologue and found that he couldn't look away. After years of thinking he was the only one of his kind he was soaking up the interaction with the other turtle.

"Ugg" the lump at the end of the bed stirred, most likely roused by the Orange clad turtles' chatting.

"Oh good you're awake too!" The orange clad turtle's eyes were bright with genuine happiness.

"Mikey, keep it down will ya" the red clad turtle grumbled sitting up a hand on his neck as he stretched, working out the kinks. "Leo needs his rest."

"Na, the only sleeping beauty here is you." The comment seemed to freeze the red clad turtle in his tracks, eyes wide, the red clad turtle turned his gaze toward Wind.

Yep back to long silent eye contact.

Wind wasn't even conscious of it anymore as his mind reached out, even without the aid of the amplifiers, he tried, disappointed to find the non-telepathic mind closed.

Distantly he noted that he should try actually verbally saying something. It had been hard even around Leo and the guy was basically him..so…long silent awkward eye contact.

"Hi.." his voice came out hesitant.

"Hey" the red clad turtle's voice was hoarse.

The orange clad turtle let out a sudden squeal that had Wind pushing himself further into the pillows. Uncertain of how to proceed.

"I'm just so happy you're awake!" Orange exclaimed, acting as though he might lunge at Wind with a hug.

Red reached out a hand stopping the orange clad turtle. His green eyes flashed with an array of emotions and he seemed to be debating amongst himself.

"Just chill Mikey, the guy's been through a lot" he grumbled to orange, before turning kind and gentle eyes to Wind. "I'm glad you're okay, man." His voice was hoarse more so with emotions then sleep and his green eyes shown with sincerity.

Wind was at a loss, his heart in his throat. He just nodded, not trusting his own voice to speak.

"I'll go grab Donnie" the red clad turtle mumbled rising from his chair. His green eyes hesitated to leave Wind as turned and walked out of the room.

"Here, let's get you some food!" The orange clad turtle was focused on said objective. Setting the second bowl on the night stand he arranged the tray to sit on the bed. Wind pulled himself into a sitting position wincing at the pain the small movement created.

"What about you?" Wind asked, starting at the small bowl.

A smile spread across the orange clad turtle's face. "Great Idea! Let's have a picnic." Without much preamble the orange clad turtle bounded out of the door. His head still spinning, Wind turned back to the soup. He eyed it curiously before taking a bite. He let out a contented hum. It was delicious!

"Good, you're eating" Wind raised his eyes to meet the brown eyes of the purple banded turtle.

Hesitantly he stepped forward taking the bowl from Wind and setting it to the side. "Now if you don't mind I want to do a quick cursory check up of your vitals."

Wind blinked, barely having time to respond before a hand was holding his wrist checking his pulse. Wind flinched involuntarily as the hand grazed the tender skin where the amplifiers used to be. He was surprised to see dark brown eyes clouding with anger at the gesture.

Wind felt his heart race in worry. Did he do something wrong?

He sat still and obedient through the rest of the quick examination.

"You don't have to do that. I'm fine" Wind commented, his heart moved by the others' care.

The purple clad turtle paused his fists clenching. "From my calculations thousands if not millions of volts of electricity passed through your being just yesterday: you are not 'fine'." Suddenly mindful of his tone the other continued. "Just let me check your recovery."

Wind looked away, shocked by the outburst.

"Thank you" he said after a moment. "I really appreciate your help."

The other just nodded his eyes clouding with tears.

"Heyyo" the cheerful voice interrupted the tense moment as the orange clad turtle entered the room once more. "I come bearing soup." Wind couldn't help but smile as the sunshine of a personality bounded into the room carrying two more bowls of soup, followed closely by Red.

"Stop pestering him Don" Red snapped, moving his chair closer to the head of the bed. "He just got up."

With a roll of his eyes the purple clad turtle: Don, obliged, taking one of the bowls of the soup.

"Can I sit here?" He asked Wind hesitantly.

"Of course!" Wind commented, smiling shifting to make room, his own heart smiling. Inwardly, he was thrilled that they were in fact joining him.

To Wind's delight the three turtles settled in. Purple sat on his right and Orange sat on the edge of the bed, Red taking the chair to his left. The others seemed to settle as close as they could but also seemed to be trying to gauge Wind's comfort level. The wander was elated that they seemed as curious about him as he was about them!

"This is really good!" Wind commented, picking at his own bowl of soup.

Orange beamed "thanks dude! Glad you're enjoying the meal!"

His gaze lingering in the soup Wind gathered the nerve to ask the question heavy on his mind. "Is Leo oaky?"

The others shifted, turning to him. "He's alright," Purple responded, his tone even. "He received a very nasty shoulder wound but Donetello stitched him up and he's recovering well. He's still unconscious but you can speak to him when he wakes up."

Wind nodded relieved by the news.

"We moved ya from the lab to here, thought you'd be more comfortable." Red added.

Wind assumed the lab was a different part of the home. It probably became too crowded if both Leo and him were in there.

"Thank you for helping us." he thanked lamely but he hoped the sincerity shone through his eyes.

"Of course," Purple answered, his brown eyes filled with tears.

They ate in comfortable silence once more, each one just content to be in each other's presence. Wind found himself trying to soak up all he could about these turtles, questions racing around his head.

He found his eyes wandering to the blue band around each of their arms. He was surprised to note that orange and purple wore one as well. A blue band like a mask tied around their arms. Wind knew he couldn't keep referring to them by their mask colors in his head.

"I'm Wind, by the way" Wind stated, breaking the silence. Feeling foolish he dropped his gaze.

"Okay, cool introductions" Orange beamed from the end of the bed. "Awesome name by the way! This here," he clasped his hand on the shoulder of the Red clad turtle. "Is Rapheal but we all call him Raph or Waphy"

"Don't call me that" Raph growled, but there was no malice in the voice, his green eyes were focused hesitantly at Wind.

"He acts like the big tough guy and is the strongest out of the three of us but really he's a big ol' softy." Orange squeezed his brother and Raph just ducked his head, his arms crossed defensively around him.

Wind smiled, he saw what the orange clad turtle meant.

"And this" Orange gestured dramatically to Purple "is Donetello but we all call him Donnie or Don"

"I'll respond to all the above" Donnie smiled, showing his gap tooth.

"He is by far the smartest guy you will ever meet. Inventor and scientist. Definitely the guy you want next to you in a quick pinch."

"And then there is moi" Orange continued gesturing to himself in a dramatic fashion. " I'm Michelangelo but you can call me Mikey! Actually you have to call me Mikey. The turtles of Leo's dimension are staying here too and we all go by nicknames to keep everybody straight."

Wind blinked, blown away by the sudden revelation the new information provided. So Leo's brothers were here and these turtles. That means these three were from this world. These three were really his bro..

" I'm the youngest of the group" Mikey continued, smiling wide. "I am by far the coolest! Genius of Dimension X, master at naming stuff and Dr. Prankinstein!"

Wind felt his heart still at the mention of Dimension X but didn't interrupt.

"Mikey, that was way too much information!" Donnie's brown eyes were wide. "He literally just woke up! We don't need to dive into the schematics of multiple dimensions, right now." Donnie ran a hand down his face.

"Well he did travel here with their Leo, I think he's cued in on all that Dee." Mikey rolled his eyes.

Wind nodded absently. "Mikey's right. I think I get the gist of the situation, '' he admitted. "Though I'm still really confused."

Eyes dropping away from the friendly and welcoming gaze of the three turtles, Wind found himself diving into an explanation. He owned them that much at least.

"I didn't know..that..that there were any other turtles like me." He stammered his face heating up in shame as he let his gaze drop, at the admission. He felt as though he'd failed them or himself by allowing himself to assume he was the only one. "Leo was the first turtle I'd ever met and when he said he needed to find his brothers …I..I…had to come…" Tears clouded Wind's eyes as he raised his gaze to meet theirs, his heart on his sleeve. "But you're not Leo's brothers are you?" He asked hopefully.

"No we're not" Donnie answered with a grin stretching over his face as tears dripped from his eyes.

"We are your brothers just as You are ours!" Protective fire seemed to radiate in those eyes as Mikey spoke, a fire that echoed in Raph and Donnie's as well.

Hope flaring in his chest, Wind felt like he could soar but as soon as those emotions rose, fear raced through him. He couldn't get his hopes up like that! They were a family, he was just some stranger. He couldn't just be seamlessly woven back into their family after all this time. Could he?

Seeming to sense his unease the three turtles scooted in closer, their soup long forgotten.

"Hey, it's okay" Donnie soothed his hand resting comfortingly on Wind's shoulder.

Raph's green eyes were red rimmed but burned with anger, outraged by the injustice; his heart breaking at how lonely Wind must have felt. None of them could even imagine what it would be like thinking that you're the only one of your kind and Raph's heart ached at the mere thought.

Similarly Mikey's eyes shone, his heart clenching in sympathy for his brother. "It's okay," Mikey echoed, wrapping his arms around Wind gingerly. "We're all together now and that's what really matters."

All together now. The words rang in Wind's ears and seemed to take purchase in his heart. Dropping his gaze he fought past the bubbling of emotions welling up inside him as these turtles, these strangers embraced him as a long lost brother. HIM! An alien raised, stranger. They didn't even know him.

Tears welled in his eyes.

He didn't belong here.

Did he?