Hello my friends! A new chapter is up, which I've decided most updates will be monthly or weekly. Depends on life :). Thank you for reading! Please R&R!

*I own nothing*

WARNING: Eating Disorders will be mentioned and played out. Please do not read if this makes you uncomfortable in any way.

Reviews:

Guest: Thank you so much for all your support! You are keeping me from giving up, I can't express my gratitude for all your support!

Also thank you so much for everyone who is currently supporting my stories right now!

Translations:

Nani o shite mo kaze ga ha o ugokasu – The breeze moves the leaves, no matter what they do.

Nightmares were a part of the Hamoto household, if even, it had become usual in the world of dreams. This could have stemmed from the root of fighting, or fear in general. But nothing they did seemed to soothe the rapid nightmares affecting their brain chemistry. Unless they had one another by their side, then maybe the nightmares were more manageable.

When Donnie had gone in that night to share his favorite tradition with his younger brother, he had felt the same depressing feeling that had attacked his system these past few weeks. Even eating hadn't seemed appetizing. So, when he got into the sterile hospital room, the young teen set the food on the nightstand and didn't move.

It didn't matter how many times he had gotten used to seeing his brother attached to so many tubes. There just wasn't a way he would ever get used to it. He had sat down in the chair and just observed. There wasn't really anything he could do, he wasn't a doctor, or a nurse. His older brother was, though that didn't make any difference.

But observing seemed to have proved something, his younger brother was getting better. His vital signs were improving, and there were less machines attached to him unlike last time. There was reason for hope, but Donnie just wanted to see his brother awake again. To see those baby blue eyes that had motivated him to keep waking up every day.

And as much as Donnie would say that improvement itself had been good enough, it simply wasn't for his mindset. Improvement meant being conscious, being aware that there was a crushing weight on all their shoulders and waking up would ease that burden.

Being grateful for what you have, or at least that is what Donnie had always told Raph who seemed to want everything someone else had. But now….it seemed that quote was punching him in the stomach.

"Mikey" Donnie whispered, "Can you just wake up already?" An unintentional choke of irritation passed through his system. He felt a little guilty for being a little angry at his unconscious brother. But only if Mikey knew.

Only if Mikey knew that his brothers had loved him for the way he was, and that a few bullies telling him off shouldn't have changed everything. But it had. And Donnie despised Mikey's predators for it.

"Mikey… If you wake up, we can show Alec and Axel that you mean business. But if you don't, you're just proving their point."

Donnie struggled to get words out, his own conscious kept telling him that it wasn't some random kids' fault, that a simple word didn't destroy his brother. But it had, and those kids hadn't been "random" in what was spoken.

"Truthfully Otouto, I really don't want to accept that this could possibly be our future. You sick, Leo and Raph secluded, me destroyed by the reality itself. And maybe that's holding me back. But Mikey…if there is any part of you that is listening to me right now, please know that I don't care what you look like, or how you talk."

Fond memories filled the young teen's head, life had been good, and even though it wasn't right then, it would be someday. The Hamoto family was strong, powerful even. It would take much more than some stupid sickness to knock them down.

Donnie sat up straight. "Personally, I'll admit that I always leaned towards the 'immortality' concept, but even now, I can see that no one can live forever." The young teen chuckled a watery laugh, "I guess that I still haven't come to terms with dad's death, denial as many would suspect. But you never did either... and I guess that it made things easier."

"And now…" Donnie took in a shuddering breath, "I believe I might have to live through the same thing all over again. And I can't Mikey… I just can't."

Tears fell down his pale cheeks, everything he had worried about, scared about, teased about, all came tumbling down. Rivers of regret, resentment, and fear crashed into his center of sanity. He wanted to kill Alec and Axel, but he also knew that no such thing would transgress. He wanted to shut down his system and never think again, to never induce the pain he would soon feel. But his older brothers would only rescue him. At that time, he hated Leo and Raph, but also felt an immense amount of love for that.

He was told to stay strong, but he didn't want to be. There was a moment to shine with happiness and courage, though this certainly wasn't the time.

"Just, don't forget that I'm here ok. Sure, dad will be there in the afterlife, but please, as many say, focus on the present. Focus on my love, Leo, and Raph's love, because I promise you that things will get better." Donnie took a second to flush all anger out of his system, "Alec and Axel aren't human, ok? If they were, they would never say stuff like that. But you are human Mikey, and humans don't just give up. Not without a fight or anything."

Donnie didn't want to ramble, but once he started, he couldn't stop. "For me at least Mike?" A sudden thought provoked him. "And for Leo? He thinks that he's failed you. I mean… he hasn't, but he'll never believe me. Wake up and show him Otouto, show him that he caught you when you fell."

Metaphors had a special place in Donnie's heart. Mostly because that was his figurative language that he used quite often. But they also meant so much more, it wasn't just about the common language, but rather a diamond in the rough. If he could use it in any positive way, he would.

"Nani o shite mo kaze ga ha o ugokasu," Donnie whispered, "The world doesn't change for you Mikey, you have to adapt, and learn how to not follow common norms. But that doesn't change anything, you know that little brother? I love you no matter how you live your life."

Donnie placed his hands on Mikey's wrist. "So just don-"

Mikey started to squirm as harsh gasps escaped his mouth. His older brother sat up alarmed and very worried. He didn't know what to do, his panic started to rise.

"Mikey stop!" He tried to grab his brothers' flying limps, "You're going to hurt yourself!"

Though his brother still continued to hyperventilate and not control his arms and legs. Finally, after about two long minutes, a nurse came rushing in out of curiosity and gaped largely at the sight.

"I'll get help!" She cried out and took off running.

Donnie sighed as sweat dripped down his brow, he was starting to become very agitated at the sound of the machines going off rapidly.

Doctors opened the door and ran inside, they relieved Donnie of his duty and asked him to sit outside. The young teen felt hesitant but forced himself to walk outside, his spirit felt low.

While sitting outside the room, Donnie legs tapped themselves, how could he possibly just sit here while his brother possibly be dying in the room behind him?

But after a long devesting ten minutes, a doctor came walking out of the room with a clipboard in hand. He mentioned Donnie to come over, but once he walked close to the doctor, he heard no machines rapidly beeping.

"Doc, is he?" Donnie held his breath.

But the doctor only smiled.

"Why are you smiling?"

The doctor smiled wider. "Donatello, you can breathe. Because your brother Michelangelo, is showing signs of waking up in a few days."