Hello all you lovely people!

I first want to say thank you for the kind reception to this story! I really appreciate it and I'm so glad all of you are enjoying it so far!

This chapter isn't going to be as long as the last two but I hope you don't mind. And I hope you don't mind the shift in perspective. It's not something I always do, changing POV so drastically but it just felt right doing it this way.

Again, thank you all for the kind words!

Happy reading!

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*Meanwhile in the lair*

"Michelangelo!" Leonardo shouts, rushing for the lair entrance. The distant roar of a familiar board has him coming up short and throwing his hands into the air. "Why does he always do this? He NEEDS to have his head checked!"

Donatello sighs and shakes his head, walking up to his immediate older brother and placing a hand on the leader's shoulder.

"You know how he is when it comes to medical stuff. He avoids it at all costs. He did seem fine earlier, if not a little tired still." Donatello shrugs. "And if he was able to sneak past us that well, I'm sure he's fine."

Leonardo turns an icy stare toward his brainy brother, who merely lifts his hands in surrender and backs away.

"Geez, Fearless, you're acting like the kid is gonna just keel over and die if Brainiac here doesn't look him over," Raphael says as he emerges from the dojo, wiping his brow as he heads for the kitchen. "If you're really this worked up about Doofus going out to get his comic after a little knock to the head, then why don't ya just have Brainiac here track his comm?"

Leonardo pauses, his mouth open and a finger raised about to argue when he suddenly turns toward Donatello. The turtle in purple sighs as he walks over to his computer and starts typing on it.

"All right. Give me one second here and I can—oh…"

Leonardo bristles at his brother's tone and hurries over.

"Oh? What do you mean 'oh', Donatello?!"

Donatello's mouth twitches, slightly concerned for his safety on how he is going to break the news to the already annoyed turtle in blue. Dragging in a deep breath, the purple-cladded turtle takes a step away from his seething older brother and lifts his hands in surrender.

"Okay, but before I tell you, just… don't kill the messenger, alright?"

"Oh WHAT, Donatello?"

"Michelangelo maaaaaay have forgotten to grab his comm from his bedroom," Donatello says slowly, eyeing his brother cautiously. "So, it's still showing him being here in the lair."

Leonardo's left eye ridge twitches as he turns toward the computer. Both Raphael and Donatello watch him warily as he scans the reading on the screen. The sharp SHING of two katanas pulled from their sheaths has both the younger brothers moving. Donatello in front of his computer and Raphael in front of his immediate older brother.

"Not my baby!"

"Whoa, Fearless! It ain't the computer's fault that Michelangelo was a dummy and forgot his comm! You know how he gets with a new comic! He probably just forgot! He's gonna be with April so he's gonna be just fine!"

"Who's gonna be with me?"

The three brothers blink as a fourth voice floats into the lair. Glancing over, the three watch as a familiar redhead in a yellow jumpsuit enters the main area. A confused look forms on the reporter's face as she spots Raphael holding Leonardo's wrists while Donatello is bodily covering his computer.

"What… are the three of you doing?"

The question seems to jolt the three from their trance and they all clear their throats. Leonardo places his katanas back where they belong before turning toward their human friend and offering her a tight smile.

"Oh, uh, nothing. Are you here to meet up with Michelangelo? Because if so, he, unfortunately, just left for the comic bookstore without you."

Bewilderment flashes in the reporter's eyes as she scans the three turtles she has dubbed as her "little brothers".

"Meet up with Michelangelo? I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, Leonardo. I mean, I did come down to check to see how he's doing after last night but not to meet up with him." April tilts her head as her eyebrows furrow, frowning. "And what's this about the comic bookstore?"

The three older turtles tense as they share a look. Slowly, Leonardo glances back at April, suspicion heavy in his tone.

"What are you talking about? Michelangelo told us that he was meeting up with you at the comic bookstore today because a new comic got released that you were doing a story on."

April's eyebrows shoot sky high.

"What? We weren't meeting up today. I came down here to check on him while I'm out on lunch and see how his head is feeling."

Panic starts to spread across the three remain turtles' faces. Donatello steps out from behind Leonardo, frowning.

"How in the world did you know that he hit his head during training today? It literally just happened."

April's mouth falls open, horror morphing on her face.

"Training?!" She practically shrieks. "You let him train with that head of his?! Donatello, I thought you knew better! Tell me you at least put stitches into that cut."

The turtle in purple takes a step back, confused and baffled at the harsh tone of the redhead.

"What are you talking about, April? What cut? All he did was hit his head on the dojo floor."

There is a brief pause before the dawning of a realization forms in the redhead's eyes.

"Oh my god. Michelangelo never woke you up when he got home last night, did he?"

Donatello's eyes ridges furrow, his brown eyes flickering from the reporter toward his little brother's empty bedroom. He tightens his mask.

"Um, no? Him visiting you last night does explain why we got up before him today. Why would he need to wake me up? Did something happen?"

A groan escapes April as she presses her hand to her forehead.

"I knew it. I KNEW I should have walked him home last night. But I honestly thought he would wake you! He called me and everything." April crosses her arms, scowling. "Oh, Michelangelo. When I get my hands on you, you and I are going to have some words, young man!"

"Whoa, back up a little bit, April," Leonardo says, holding a hand up to calm the irritated human. "Why on Earth would you walk him home? And why was he with you? We were all supposed to be sleeping."

April shakes her head, pursing her lips as she runs a hand through her red bob before shoving her hands into her jumpsuit's pockets.

"I'm not exactly sure how long Michelangelo was wandering around last night, but he stopped by my apartment. I had just gone to bed when I heard someone knock on the window. At first, I thought it was my imagination with all the rain, but I decided to check just in case. I poked my head out and I spotted Michelangelo climbing down the fire escape." Upset gleams in her green eyes as she glances at the three ninjas, rubbing her neck. "I didn't mean to startle him, but I guess he didn't actually expect for me to answer. So, when I called out to him, he must have slipped due to the rain, and he fell off the ladder."

Horror flashes through the brothers' faces. Their little brother fell from the ladder leading to April's? She lives on the second floor! While they've jumped down from higher heights, it's always controlled, not an accidental drop.

Most of the time.

"Was he okay?" Donatello asks frantically while Leonardo narrows his eyes in thought.

April winces as she wrings her hands.

"I—For the most part? But there was so much blood. I-I didn't see it right away while we were outside because of the heavy rain but he was quite slow on getting up and very off-balanced. I originally thought he was just a little off-balance due to him being cold and shaken." The reporter sags as she fiddles with her yellow sleeves. "It wasn't until I saw him from behind in the living room and there was this massive red spot on my white towel that I realized he was hurt far more than I originally thought. I just… I knew something was wrong, but I didn't think it was that serious. I did my best to patch him up but all I had was some gauze and huge bandaids." April groans, face scrunching up. "He told me that he would wake you when he got home, Donatello. I honestly thought that he would."

The three brothers are tense as they listen to their friend talk. Their little brother not only snuck out last night without anyone knowing but also came home injured and didn't say a thing. To any of them! Why would he hide that information from them? Out of all of them, Michelangelo is the most willing to approach Donatello with his injuries or when he's feeling ill.

Anger bubbles in Leonardo's chest as he thinks back to Michelangelo's behavior this morning. Overly quiet, wincing at loud noises, jerky movements, not eating. How could they have just brushed off all the signs? Why didn't they press him more when he said he was okay?

Leonardo's hands clench and unclench at his sides, part of him wanting to draw his blades and just slice something. While another part of him wants to go find his youngest brother and shake the living daylights out of him after Donatello confirms that he doesn't have a concussion. How could Michelangelo keep this from them?!

This must be how Raphael feels when he gets angry, Leonardo thinks as he works to keep his anger in check.

A horrified gasp leaves Donatello.

"Oh my god. He hit his head during his sparring session with Leonardo." Donatello turns toward April, his shoulders tense as his mind races, clutching at the sides of his head. "Why on earth didn't you just contact me, April? You know that I have my comm on or near me at all times! I would have come by and patched him up before bringing him home."

A heavy sigh slips from the reporter as she crosses her arms, regret marring her features and her eyes misting a little.

"I tried. But Michelangelo begged me not to. And—And how can I argue with him when his head is bleeding and he's on the verge of crying? That's like kicking a wounded puppy." April drags a hand down her face as the brothers' faces fall. Their little brother was about to cry? "I really was going to call you, Donatello, but Michelangelo wanted to speak with me privately and he was afraid that if I called and woke you that he wouldn't get the chance to."

Something unsettling squirms in the older turtles' guts. Not only did their little brother sneak out, but he also snuck out and was afraid that they would interfere with him talking with their friend? Their little brother almost NEVER sneaks out, not unless he is super upset. Like when he was having nightmares about Mondo. But why did he seek out their friend? Why not come to one of them?

Hurt bubbles in Donatello's chest. His youngest brother almost ALWAYS comes to him when he needs to talk things out that are upsetting him. So, why did he not approach the genius turtle this time? And why fight the reporter so hard on contacting him? Had he done something to make Michelangelo afraid to approach him?

"And what did our precious little brother need to talk to you about that caused him to pull a Dark Knight and sneak out?" Raphael questions, crossing his arms and trying hard to appear unbothered by his only little brother's late-night adventure. But anyone who knows him can see that his blood is boiling under his skin. His little brother went out and got himself injured and then LIED to them about how he was feeling. Lied about why he was so quiet.

The hothead shoots his eldest brother a look as he waits for the reporter to answer. Their fearless leader is wearing a neutral expression now as he stands as still as a statue and a smirk forms on Raphael's face. Oh, their little brother is going to have his shell handed to him the MOMENT Leonardo gets his hands on him and Raphael can't WAIT to watch as it happens. After thumping the little menace for all the worry he has caused.

April bites her bottom lip, drumming her fingers on her forearms as she wars with herself. On one hand, Michelangelo's brothers have a right to know what happened last night due to Michelangelo getting so injured and then hiding it. But, on the other hand, what she and Michelangelo talked about last night felt so private. It felt like Michelangelo was laying himself bare to her like only a little brother would to an older sibling, believing she would keep it confidential. Just between them.

She glances at the seething brothers before her. As she makes up her mind, there is just one thing that she needs to know.

"Has Michelangelo talked to Master Splinter yet?"

"That would depend on how you are using the word 'talked', Ms. O'Neil."

The redhead jumps as a fifth voice enters the room. Nervousness dances in her stomach as the rat master joins the four of them, curiosity gleaming in his wise brown eyes. His ears twitch minutely as he glances over at his wards, his lips slipping into a tiny frown at the anger, hurt, and confusion radiating from the three teenagers. Their spirits rapidly switching between the three emotions in a way that he has never seen from them before. Concerned, the ninjitsu master refocuses on the reporter.

"Ms. O'Neil? What was it that Michelangelo wanted to speak with me about?"

April tenses as she's addressed before shooting Master Splinter a contrite look. She's almost 30! Why on earth does this ninja master make her feel like a child whenever they interact? And why does she feel like a little girl who just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar right at this moment?

Master Splinter lifts a single eyebrow when the seconds tick by. He glances around, frowning when he realizes that his youngest's spirit is completely missing from the lair.

"Where is Michelangelo? Where is your brother?"

Wise brown eyes land on his eldest when Leonardo steps forward.

"He ran out of the lair the moment training finished."

Concern builds in the older mutant's chest, glancing at Donatello.

"And were you able to examine his head, Donatello?"

The purple-cladded turtle twitches and he scowls while throwing his hands into the air.

"No! Michelangelo fled before I could corner him to do the examination," Donatello exclaims, growling. "And April just informed me that he was injured BEFORE practice and didn't come to me like he promised he would!"

Master Splinter's eyebrows shoot skyward as his second oldest all but yells, something that almost never occurs. Donatello is known to get quite worked up when it comes to his brothers' safety and health but there is a deep hurt behind his words, as if he is taking it personally that his youngest brother did not come to him last night.

Master Splinter's eyes narrow, his stomach twisting at the thought of his youngest being hurt and not saying anything.

"What is this about Michelangelo being injured before practice?" His head snaps to the redhead when his three students glance her way. The human shifts uneasily, her spirit radiating guilt in waves. Master Splinter squares his shoulders and stands straighter, fingers tightening on his walking stick and looking every bit intimidating despite his much shorter stature than the reporter. "What. Happened?"

April fiddles with her fingers as she meets the once-human's gaze.

"Michelangelo came to visit me last night and I might have startled him while he was climbing down the ladder from my apartment and he sorta fell and sliced his head open."

Master Splinter's eyes widen, and his grip tightens on his walking stick.

How in the world did he miss the fact that his youngest had such an injury? Irritation at himself spikes when he thinks back to his interactions with his youngest. How quiet the young, usually carefree turtle was. How he was cooking in the dark and flinched when the lights turned on. His lack of appetite at breakfast. His harsh reaction to loud noises and his visible upset at his brothers all talking at him at once.

The ninjutsu master's tail flickers behind him.

"And why was my youngest visiting you when he should have been in bed?"

April pauses, running another hand through her hair as Master Splinter stares her down. Thank goodness she has a brush in the van.

"Has… has Michelangelo pulled you aside to speak with you yet, Master Splinter?"

The once-human frowns and his brown eyes become mere slits.

"He has not. Why is that relevant?"

"It's… it's relevant because what Michelangelo and I spoke about last night meant a lot to him and—" April trails off, scanning the four mutants that have become her family over the small amount of time that they've known each other. "And what we spoke about needs to come from MICHELANGELO, not me. Because it's not my place to say and you deserve to hear what he has to say directly from him, for both of your sakes." April steps closer to the upset family before her. The small family that she cares and adores more than anything. "And I know that all of you are irritated at him, I am too. But…But Michelangelo was very upset last night and needed to ask me a personal question. So… don't be too hard on the little guy, okay? I have a feeling that some of his actions have to do with what we spoke about and him having that head injury."

The three teens exchange a look. Right at this moment, the three of them are ready to clobber their baby brother for keeping his injuries to himself. But deep down, they know that April is probably right. Michelangelo always had a strange logic for why he does things and they all know that Michelangelo does his best to not burden them with things that he thinks he can handle on his own.

"I think we need to have a discussion with Michelangelo about the types of injuries that he should and shouldn't tell us about," Leonardo states stiffly. "Because I'm starting to think that he doesn't know."

"And who votes that we move his room away from the door so that he can't sneak out again?" The hothead growls, rubbing at his face.

Donatello crosses his arms as he glances at the seething Raphael.

"I was thinking of adding a door to his room with a lock on the OUTSIDE."

"Yame."

The three teens fall silent as Master Splinter shoots them a hard look. He secretly is contemplating asking Donatello to add a door to ALL of their rooms with a lock on the outside. However he also can't help but be impressed by his youngest. He had absolutely no idea that Michelangelo even snuck out last night and that is something that the master prides himself on. Always knowing where his wards are, especially when they're supposed to be sleeping. It had helped him many a time when his youngest would sleepwalk and try to exit the lair. Master Splinter's ears twitch. Apparently, he will need to be more vigilant. Especially since he also didn't even notice when Michelangelo returned.

Now if only he would apply such stealth to his training, Master Splinter thinks with a mental sigh. He folds his hands behind his back to hide how tightly he is clutching his walking stick. There is a feeling inside his chest telling him that something is not right, but he needs answers.

"I do believe once we hear what Michelangelo has to say, he will not do this again." Master Splinter glances at April. "So, I take it that Michelangelo's story about him meeting you at the comic bookstore was not true?"

The reporter shakes her head sadly before outwardly sighing this time.

Master Splinter closes his eyes.

"Very well. Then your brother must still be nearby. If he needed to speak with me, he would know that I would meditate after training. So, he must have gone skating until I free."

Leonardo shares a look with his brothers.

"Possibly, Sensei. But he does have a nasty habit of hiding when it comes to him being injured."

Master Splinter nods, reopening his eyes. He does know that his youngest tends to find little nooks to conceal himself when it comes to that type of attention. For being the most social of his sons, his youngest tends to do the most hiding when his family WANTS to provide him with attention.

"Indeed he does. He and I shall discuss that once he and I have spoken on what he went to Ms. O'Neil about last night. Now, let us go retrieve your brother."

Donatello shuffles in place as he shoots the older mutant a sheepish look.

"We really do need to go. Knowing that he's running around with a possible open head wound in the sewers doesn't sit well with me. Except," Donatello winces as Master Splinter turns toward him. "We don't have a way to track him, Sensei. Michelangelo didn't take his comm with him. And out of all of us, Michelangelo knows the best places to hide in the sewers. It could take us AGES to find him." Donatello rubs at his head. "And by then, who KNOWS what kind of condition we'll find him in."

A chuckle emits from the once human as he turns toward his upset second oldest.

"That is true and yet there is one variable that you are leaving out, Donatello."

The purple-cladded turtle looks at him in confusion.

"And what's that, Sensei?"

Master Splinter smiles.

"I raised the four of you. You are my children. We hold a very deep connection between all of us and no matter where you go, I shall always be able to find you."

A soft sound emits around the room causing the four mutants to glance over at the reporter. Her eyes are glassy, and her hand covers her mouth, but there is a tiny gleam in her eye that tells them that she isn't quite upset.

"I told him. I told him and he didn't believe me," April mumbles behind her hand.

Leonardo steps closer, frowning.

"Told who what?"

April shakes her head, taking in a deep breath and releasing it slowly as she fans at her eyes, as if trying to calm herself.

"I take it that also has to deal with Michelangelo," Master Splinter states and a sheepish look crosses the redhead's face, but she doesn't say anything. The ninja master chuckles. "Very well. Let us go retrieve your brother and speak with him. Would you like to accompany us, Ms. O'Neil?"

An upset expression crosses the reporter's face, and she glances down at her watch.

"I would love to, if only to make sure Michelangelo is alright and also give him a piece of my mind for not going to Donatello like he said he would." April's face falls more. "But my lunch is almost over, and I can't risk having the boss on me more than he already is. So, if you would comm me and let me know exactly how he is doing, I would really appreciate that."

Master Splinter nods and April relaxes minutely.

"Thank you."

"Of course." He turns toward the youngest three in the room. "Come. Let us find your brother and bring him home."

Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello nod and follow their sensei out into the tunnels.