Things have been very hard at home lately. For many different reasons.

For starters, our main way of getting out our anger, and keeping our sense of team work, was gone. We no longer patrolled the city as a team like we use to do.

I've gotten a new job, which makes my life a living hell from time to time, but it at least keeps me busy. Mikey on the other hand is only miserable with his job. Example would be how he was pepper sprayed yesterday.

We've gotten broken bones and bruises before, but none of us have ever been pepper sprayed.

Then my hot headed brother is almost never around, and if he is, he is sleeping or being a grump. Which never sits well with my nerves. I'm beginning to prefer when he is out of the lair, regardless if I know where he is or not.

Finally, there are my parents. Master Splinter's health is slowly declining. It isn't anything serious, just a rise in his cholesterol. However, as the years pass and his movements get slower, I hate to realize that Splinter isn't as young as he use to be. It makes me worry for the future. One day… he might not be here.

…And then there is Mom. My dear Mom.

Last night the small amount of joy she struggled to keep strong for us shattered. It was… terrifying.

I had seen Raphael snap into a burst of rage, I had even seen Master Splinter and my brothers do that on certain occasions, but never my Mom.

Sure she got angry, and over protective… but nothing like that. That wasn't a sense to protect us, or anger towards an enemy… it was years of build up crashing down on her. This made me wish I had asked more about her past. Maybe if I knew about her Father I could have done something… anything. But I never did because it never seemed to bother her.

She always kept a smile. If it wasn't for herself it was for us.

That smile was gone now.

It was obvious from her reaction to the News yesterday that she might not smile for a while. But that didn't stop the pain that seeped into my heart the sight of her the next morning.

She hadn't come out of her room all day, so I went to check on her. After knocking a few times at her door, she eventually opened it. It was pitch black inside, and I could only barely get a look of her face through the hallway light.

"…Mom?" I asked softly. "Are you alright?"

She turned her head to meet my gaze. Her eyes were dark, as she blinked them tiredly at me.

"…Yes." She almost closed the door on me, but I scooted my foot forward to stop it.

"Mom." I said quickly. "Can I… uh… look at your hands?" she had punched a Tv last night. Straight into glass and metal, there was no way she went through that unscathed. And with how she was right now, I doubt that she took proper care of it.

Blinking a few times, Mom looked down at her hands, which were red and slightly swollen. Lining her knuckles the several bruises that lead down to her wrist were poorly covered by band-aids that hung loosely to her skin.

At least she had tried to treat herself.

Reaching out, I took her hand into my own. "Lets get this looked at." I said.

She didn't say anything but nodded and followed me down the stairs. I stared at her as we went. She was still wearing the same cloths from yesterday, and there were large bags under her eyes.

I could only assume she didn't get any sleep last night. I wouldn't blame her.

Leading her into my lab, I sat her down on wooden chair. Grabbing my first aid kit, I sat on my rolling chair and rolled over to her. "Do you feel any pain?" I asked as I gently dapped some disinfectant on the cuts.

She didn't reply.

Knowing I might not get much out of her today, I reached for the bandages and began to wrap her hands. "You should eat before you go back to your room."

"…"

"I can make you some toast." I offered. Her lack of communication was troubling to say the least. For my Mother, silence could either be terrifying or worrying. It was like if Mikey suddenly stopped talking for a whole day. Both Mom and Mikey were large bundles of joy and sparkles.

That is till recently.

"Mom-" In a sudden movement, which almost made me jump, my Mother reached out towards me. Though her gaze was distant, there was a small trace of recognition as she stared at me.

Blinking a few times, I watched closely as her hand moved towards my right shoulder, before stopping. Her fingers hovered over my shoulder for a few seconds before she lightly lowered it downward.

Her touch was gentle, as if she was afraid I was some sort of bubble that would pop if she grabbed me with too much strength.

It was as if she was testing to see if I was really there or not.

Blinking a few times, my Mother's hand move from my shoulder to my face, where she cupped my cheek. Using her thumb, she rubbed under my eye where dark bags rested from lack of sleep the night before.

"…Mom?" I whispered softly. What was this? Was she… worried?

Retracting her hand she lowered her gaze. "…Toast is fine…" she was so quiet I almost didn't hear her.

It was nice to hear her speak.

Though I was unsure of what her actions signified just now, I smiled anyway. "Alright." I lead her out of the lab and towards the kitchen. After waking up this morning at 6, I was surprised to find most of the lair had been cleaned up from the previous night's events.

Nicole had stayed the night. Though I was grateful for her assistance, I wish she hadn't put herself through the trouble. It must have been hard for her to go through that ordeal as well. After all, she has known our Mother much longer. She grew up with her, meaning she must have also known about out Mother's relationship with our… Grandfather.

Our Mom didn't talk about that man much. The only time she did was when we were younger and we were curious about Mom's life and constantly asked her questions about it.

From what I recall, she explained in a brief sentence that she wasn't on good terms with her Father and lost contact with him many years ago. Also, from my own research on him, I learned that he didn't have a very good reputation with the law.

At the moment, that was all I need to know about the guy. As long as he stayed out of my Mother's life, I don't care what happens to him.

Though… after what I saw last night and from the new this morning… that man got away.

He had avoided arrest and was some where in the city, or was at least trying to get out of the city. It was a moment like this where I was tempted to go grab my staff, and go on a Ninja man hunt just like the old days.

I'm sure Raph and Mikey would gladly come along, but that was the last thing my Mom needed right now.

"How many slices of Toast do you want?" I asked as we moved into the kitchen. She held up two fingers as she sat down at the table. Nodding I quickly got to work and placed the bread in the toaster.

Half way through making the toast, I saw Mikey stick his head in from the corner of my eye. Glancing at Mom to see her staring at the table, I quickly shuffled to Mikey.

"How is she doing?" he whispered when I got close enough.

"Not so good." I sighed. "I'm at least getting her to eat though."

Mikey's frown deepened and he sadly turned his gaze to his Mother. "I hate seeing her like this."

I lowered my gaze. "Me too." I agreed. "How are your eyes?"

"Better." He gently touched his temple. "I don't feel anymore pain."

"They aren't as red as yesterday too." I noted. "Are you going to work today?"

"Nicole actually cancelled it." He said quickly. "She doesn't think… well, she doesn't want me to go to another party for a while. She said it would be best for me to stay home for today."

"I agree with her. Mom needs all of us here." I sighed.

"Is Raph here?"
"Sleeping-" I paused, unsure if sleeping was what he was actually doing. "Or mopping in his room." The toaster rang behind me. Moving towards, I watched quietly as Mikey shuffled to the table and sat down.

"…Hi Mom." He said softly.

She lifted her gaze up from her knees. She leaned forward, resting her elbows against the table to get a better look at him. She didn't say anything.

Blinking a few times, Mikey looked around the room, thinking of anything to say. "Did you… sleep well?"

She shook her head no.

"Oh then um… having a nice morning?" Mikey continued to speak, hoping to some how hear his Mother's voice. I listened quietly as I got out the butter and a butter knife.

She shrugged a little, similar to how Raph did when he was in a grumpy mood. Was she grumpy? It seemed Mikey couldn't tell. I wasn't even sure myself.

"Do you want something to drink? I can make you something? Like a super awesome strawberry smoothie! You love those!" he grinned nervously. There was a sudden silence. With my back turned I couldn't really see what was going on at the table, but I couldn't faintly hear the sound of movement.

Fabric brushing over the table before stopping. Ever so slowly I looked over my shoulder to see what was going on. My Mother had reached across the table towards Michelangelo, her hand hovering over his.
It was similar to the way she had grabbed my shoulder earlier. Except this time, she spoke.

"…That would be lovely, Baby-dear." Her voice rang out like a bell as she lowered her hand onto his and squeezed it. She was comforting him. She was comforting him.

It should have been the other way around. She was the one who was hurting right now so… why?

Mikey's eyes were wide with shock. Opening his mouth to say something, he choked slightly instead and jumped up from the table. "O-Okay-" he stammered, rushing to the back of the lair towards the freezer to get some ice. I had never seen him move so fast before in my life.

…I think I saw tears.

Staring aimlessly after where my baby brother had disappeared, she slowly turned her gaze back to me. She smiled.

God… why was she smiling? I didn't understand. She was hurting, right? I could see it in her eyes. Yet she was still smiling at me.

It was warm, caring, loving… everything that my Mom's smiles always were. Yet there was something I was expecting. A sense of sadness and remorse.

"If you wouldn't mind could I actually add a third slice…?" she titled her head. I stared at her; dumbstruck and at a lost for words.

I'm not sure how long we stayed like that honestly, staring at each other dumbly. She just kind of… blinked at me, confused.
"…Donnie? Honey, are you alright?" She asked. My words caught in my throat. She waved her hand around to catch my attention, thinking I had some how spaced out. Trust me, all of my attention was on your right now Mom.

As well as every ounce of confusion and shock I held in my very being. "W…What?" I asked.
"A third slice of toast?" she repeated innocently.

"You actually want to eat?" I stepped towards her.

"…" She looked around as if this was some sort of trick question and we were trying to record her doing something embarrassing by answering the question. "Yes?"

"But you… last night…" I covered my mouth as the words came out. "Aren't you sad?" Oh, nice going braniack. Way to be blunt and extremely rude! You should be happy Mom is smiling and talking instead of mopping around all depressed!

"Of course I am." Her reply was swift and to the point. "I've been sad for a while now."

I lowered my hands, my eyes widening.

"It is just a natural thing to be sad when so many bad things happen in your life." She reached up to brush some of her bangs out of her face. "However… I dunno. When I saw you this morning, worried and sad I just…" she shrugged and glanced at her hands. "I realized that you were real and here with me."

"I don't understand." I announced honestly. "What do you mean?"

Instead of answering my question, My Mother avoided the answer and changed to a different topic. "I'm not sure how to explain this. My sadness is kind of just… neutral right now."

Not overly pleased with her avoiding my answers, I frowned. Moving to the chair next to her, I carefully sat down, scooting a little closer to her. "Neutral?" I inquired not wanting to upset her by forcing answers out of her. It would be best just to go along with what she tells me for now.

"I've been sad for too long. I don't think I have any sadness left to cry about." She titled her head back, giving a dry chuckle. "You know what I mean? I just… I'm kind of just, out of tears." She looked at me, a smile on her face.

Was that real or was it forced? I couldn't tell.

"But you-" She patted my head before I could speak.

"I don't want to let my past ruin my future anymore. What my Father does isn't any of my concern." She sounded so confident. "So I'm not gonna let him bring me down. I have Splinter, your brothers, and you. Oh, and of course, April, Casey and Nicole too." She kept on talking, faster than I could stop her. She wouldn't let me get a single word in. "I'm not a little kid anymore who doesn't have anyone to turn to. We are all going through a tough time, so I'm going to stay strong. Not just for you guys, but for me too."

"…Mom."

Rising to her feet, Arinna smiled at me. "Now all we have to do is get Leonardo home and everything will be set." She turned, grabbing the toast off the table. "That is of course if he comes home." She started to leave the kitchen. "But hey, I'm use to people leaving and never coming back. Why would this time be any different?" she said that with a tone I wasn't sure how to describe. It wasn't resentful, but it definitely had a dark tone to it. Was she mad at Leo? Had her sadness she resulted in a spiteful anger?

"Thanks for the toast Donnie." With that, she left.

I wanted to stop her, but I didn't know how. I knew she wasn't being honest with herself. Saying she was feeling neutral. Perhaps she was, but deep down, she was hurting.

It was sad, but I think… I think she was starting to believe that Leo would never come home.

Lowering my head into my hands, I sighed. Leo… Bro, where are you?

Don't you know we are here waiting for you?

"Hey-" I lifted my head at the sound of Mikey's voice. "Where did Mom go?" he was holding the smoothie.

"She went back to her room. She said…" I sighed. "I don't even know what to think on what she said. She isn't crying anymore though."

"Isn't that good?" my baby bro's eyes were wide.

"…I guess." I shrugged.

-000-

Placing my head set down, I fell back into my chair. Letting my arms and legs hand loose, I pressed my toe to the ground and pushed. My chair, being one of those spinning chairs, spun from the contact.

Like the chair, my head was spinning from everything that had been happening. What happened to the good old days where I could go through the lair with a smile on my face? Or when I could run into Raph and not feel anger boiling up from the pits of my stomach?

Or see my Mother contently sitting in the living room, sewing back Mikey's old pillow case that he loved so much.

The days where the only thing I had to worry about was whether or not there would be foot clan ninjas when we got out of the lair on patrol. Now all I worry about is whether or not our family can stay together and not break apart.

Spinning a few more time, I blinked when a new blur came into the picture. Realizing it was a person, I stopped the chair to stare at them. It was Nicole.

What was she doing here?

"Nicole." I greeted.

"Hey there." She smiled softly, moving into the room quietly. "Sorry to bother you."
"It is fine." I said quickly. "Are you alright?"

"Fine."

"Need something?"

"Just checking on you." She folded her arms. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. Shouldn't you be checking or Mom or Mikey? They probably need a friend right now more than I-"

"You do that a lot." She sighed.

I trailed off. "…Do what?" I felt confused.

"You always toss aside your own importance. You let yourself get forgotten." She moved towards me. "You always worry about the family and make sure their worries and taken care of, but you never take care of your own worries."

"I do too." I looked away from her gaze.

"Do not." She pulled up a chair next to me. "Donnie, come on man. Be honest with yourself. Everyone else is right now."

"I am being honest. There is nothing wrong with me. We should be more worried about Mom and Mikey a-and Raph!" I stammered out that last part.

Nicole nodded her head a few times. "Yes, we should be worried about them. We should also be worried about Splinter and me. And you." She reached out to place a hand on my shoulder. I almost flinched. "Donnie, I've known you long enough to know what sort of person you are. Arinna would even agree with me that you are the type of guy that will avoid his own problems like the wind." She tightened her grip. "Arinna admits that times have been tough and she is struggling. She is trying to push pass them though by spending as much time as she can with those close. Mikey is doing the same thing, and admits he hates his job and wants something more with life."

I listened quietly, resisting the urge to pull away or shuffle into the corner. I wasn't avoiding anything!

"Splinter misses Leonardo and is pained every time something happens with his family. Seeing Arinna how she was last night crushed him."

"How do you know?" my kept my gaze to my knees.

"I was talking to him right before I came to you." She smiled. "Even I am struggling right now Donnie. You guys are my family. Seeing you like this, seeing Arinna break down, was scary. It makes me so scared and… and mad at Leonardo." She gritted her teeth.

That surprised me. "Mad at Leo?" I questioned.

"Yeah." Her anger vanished as soon as it appeared. "I know I shouldn't blame him for everything that has been happening, but I just can't help but think it kind of is his fault." She lowered her hand from my shoulder.

"But he didn't-" Confusion rose from me as I yelled to defend my brother.

"I know he would never mean to cause any of this!" Nicole said quickly, holding up a hand to stop me. "However, most of these problems we are having occurred after that day Leo was suppose to come back. A year ago Donnie. He was supposed to be back a year ago. He isn't though."

I bit my tongue. "Maybe something happened?"
"Maybe something did. If that is true then Leo might never come back."

My stomach dropped and a sudden fear erupted across my body. I shivered. Nicole I guess saw this and grabbed my hand.

"I'm not saying something did happen Don." She said softly. "Leo is tough, you now this. I just… I guess what I am trying to say is that if something did happen, I wont feel angry that Leo is gone. However, if Leo is out there all fine and dandy, then-" she narrowed her eyes.

Tightening my grip on her hand, I let out a few breaths to calm myself.

"I'm afraid… I don't quite understand what you mean?"
"…When Leo comes back, which I'm sure he will, he better have a good reason for being gone as long as he was." She said simply. "I don't want to hear something stupid like he lost track of time or that he didn't want to leave his training. That he didn't feel like he was ready to come home or that he enjoyed being on his own. If he says anything like that…" she ran her fingers through her hair angrily. "Gah! I don't know what I'll do.' She hissed. "None of those are excuses for leaving his family in the dark and causing them so much pain!" her voice grew soft. "Y'know?' she looked at me.

Yeah… Yeah I knew what she meant. In all honesty I wanted my brother just to come home… but when he did, would it really fix anything? Are we too far broken to really be fixed just by his return?

"However." Nicole spoke up. "If he says he wasn't able to come back because he got knocked into some coma, or was held prisoner, got super lost for months in the jungle- which could happen, then I'll forgive him for being gone so long."

"You will?"
'Yeah man." She nodded. "Those types of things are unavoidable." She narrowed her eyes. "That's my problem right now Donnie. I'm scared as shell and furious at your Brother. I admit to all of those. Even if you get angry that I'm placing a lot of the blame on Leo, I won't hide it. It is how I feel."

I was starting to get why she was telling me all of this. She wanted me to open up and admit to how I was feeling. I wasn't hiding anything though! I…

Biting my lower lip, I stared at her. "Why are you so bent on getting my to open up?"

"Because bundling it up isn't healthy. Come on-" she nudged me. "I'll even start you off. Arinna told me about a few days ago. How you are worried all this is your fault because you've been a bad leader." She made quotation marks by lifting her fingers up and down.

"Wha-" my eyes double in size. "Mom told you about that?"

"She did indeed." Nicole patted my head. "Don't worry about it though, we haven't told anyone else."

"Why would she tell you though?" I narrowed my eyes.

"Cause we always gossip about you guys." Nicole snorted as if that should be obvious. "It is like a habit. Anytime you guys do something Arinna thinks is cool or cute she tells me about it. The same goes for when she is worried."

"…She was worried?"
"She always is. I use to call her worry-wart Arinna when we were younger." She nodded.

I almost chuckled. "…I guess I am a little upset about how things are right now." I shrugged.
"Go on." She urged.

I shrugged. "I don't know what you are expecting me to say. Yeah okay, I don't think I'm a good leader. Obviously by the way things are now I am not the same person my brother was."
"Well duh."

"My point is that… maybe none of this would have happened if I had been a leader like Leo." I grumbled.

Nicole stared at me, blinking. Turning her head a few times, staring around the room, she met my gaze again. "…I don't think that is true." She said.

"That took you a while to say that." I huffed.

"I mean it." She said. "You are saying that you don't think you are as good as a leader as Leo. That might be true, but Leo can't be that much better."
"…Nicole, you've lost me." I sighed.

"I mean, Splinter sent Leo off to training for a reason right? He didn't think Leo was being a good leader or whatever nonsense right? If you were like Leo then Splinter might have just sent you off on training too." She patted my back. "Honestly, I think you are one of the main things keeping this family together Donnie."

"…Yeah, Mom said something similar."

"And she is right. Honestly, I don't know anything about this whole leader thing." She sighed, messing with her hair. "I've never had to be the leader of anybody. I have had to be an older sibling though." She leaned back into her chair. "I know how hard that can be. Sometimes you get along and sometimes you don't."
"Isn't that true." I sighed heavily.

Nicole smiled at me. "Maybe you should stop trying to be leader for a while?"
"Hmm?"

"Well you obviously think the leader thing isn't working, so stop being leader for a while." She shrugged.

"I don't think you can just stop doing something like that." I frowned.

"Sure you can." She chuckled. "Just go back to what you are use to being."
"And what is that?"
"Go back to being a brother." She grinned. "Go back to being a son and not a pupil. Go back to being the genius of the family. You've been trying to take charge and support this family all on your own that you've stopped being yourself."

"Nicole…"
Spinning in her chair, she twirled into my own chair. Almost knocking me off, I scoffed. "Nicole!"

She laughed. "That is just what I think though. You don't have to listen to the weird bread lady."

Smiling at her, I chuckled. "Thanks anyway Nicole."
"Anytime cupcake." She flicked my forehead.

"Please don't call me that."
"It's cute." She insisted.

"It sounds ridiculous." I sighed. Glancing at her, I chuckled. "So, is that all you needed me for? You didn't exactly get much out of me."

"I got enough." Nicole said softly. "Besides, I'm sure compared to Raph, it will look like a lot. Enough to make an essay even!"
We laughed.

-0000-RAPHAEL-000-

I hadn't wanted fresh air this badly since I was a child stuck underground by Master Splinter. I couldn't wait to get out of those sewers and up to New York City where I could actually thinks.

Things were… they were getting crazy. I didn't know what to do.

Mom… she… Oh man, that was insane. I thought I was the one with the anger problem. I mean, yeah, obviously I still have it, but to see her like that… it was unnerving.

I thought maybe going out as the Night Watcher might clear my head, but it didn't do much. I just aggravated me more.

Usually Mom cam e with me… she wasn't here tonight. Which kind of made the night… I dunno, lonely I guess.

Which ticked me off.

Especially when I run into the same stupid robbers I busted a few nights before. I'm serious! It was the exact same guy. Same shirt and everything?

It was like he was just begging to get beat up.

Staring down at him from above the roofs, I sighed as he stumbled out of the continence store he just mugged. The black bag he was clutching was filled to the brim with money, and was practically falling out.

Yeah, smooth man. No one will think you are a robber with that get up.

Sighing, I rolled my eyes as I listened to him. "And stay down!" he growled at the worker inside. "And don't let me catch you calling the cops!"

Hearing enough, I dropped my chain below. Using a quick flick of my wrist, it wrapped around him. Just like a fish I gave it a sharp tug and reeled him in, all the way up to the roof.

"AH! Not again!" the main wailed, desperately fighting against it.

Oh-ho~

So he knew it was me? That makes this even better!

Tossing the man into a shed that rested on top of the roof, I shook my head at him. "Didn't I take care of you last week?" I grumbled. He squeaked, stumbling back. Grabbing a hold of his shirt, I lifted him up. "I'm very disappointed in you knucklehead. Guess night school is in session." Lifting my fist, prepared to punch the guy, I paused when I heard the sound of whistling.

Looking in the direction of the sounds, I froze. Oh no.

Casey Jones stood to my right. His mask was on and he was swinging his bat around. "Hope I'm not disturbing class." He chuckled.

What is Casey doing here?! This is bad. Really bad.

"Hey Night Watcher." He strolled near me casually. "Need any teaching assistance?"

Oh great. Wait, was he offering help? Usually he liked to stick solo unless he was with the guys and me… oh whatever.

"Ah-" I cleared my throat. "No, I uh… I got this one covered pal." I said, back handing the criminal into the ground. "But thanks anyway."

Scoffing, Casey pointed his bat at me. "You think you own these roof tops? I happen to think you could use my help." He chuckled confidently.

Staring at him, I quietly dropped my chain down into my hand. The quickest way to avoid Casey Jones was to disarm him. If I stole his bat and through it over the roof, he would probably go after that instead of me. Yeah, sounds like a plan.

"Plus, I could use a side kick." He shrugged.

Side kick!? In your dreams knucklehead!
I felt so enraged with his comment, I almost completely missed the next sentence he spoke. "You may have everyone else fooled, but you haven't fooled me Raph."

Snapping my chain forward, I grabbed his bat. "Yeah well, guess what Pal." Grabbing the bat, I chuckled. "Now you can't- wait…" I replayed his words in my head. "Wait a minute…" I let out a heavy groan. No way. "How did you know it was me." I grumbled, lifted my helmet off to glare at my friend.

"It wasn't that hard man." He insisted, removing his own mask. "I mean, you look like a big metal turtle."

"It's that obvious, huh?" I sighed. We both paused as the sound of heavy shuffling behind us. Looking over my shoulder, I could see the goon I was just capturing trying to jump over the wall to the next roof top.

"Aww, ain't that cute?" Casey cooed. "He's trying to get away."

Smirking at him, I placed on my helmet. He nodded to me, placing on his helmet. "Well hey, it looks like I got a side kick." He chuckled.

"Yeah right." I snorted. "You're the side kick."

After we roughed the robber up a little bit, Casey and me moved to his house, where I got undressed and placed my Night Watcher gear back in the bag and moved to sit next to Casey.

"So." Casey started, giving me a long look. "…What's with the Super hero show?"

"What was I suppose to do?" I snorted. "Wait around for Leo to come back and save the day? I mean, we haven't heard from him since Splinter sent him away on his little vacation." I growled. "Mom even said he stopped writing, so…" I trailed off. "Come on, you think these low lives take vacations at the first sign of trouble?" I ranted. "No." I answered. "The criminal element of this city may be guilty of a lot of things, but being quitters not one of them." I said, placing my helmet back in the back. Casey only nodded in agreement.

"You know I-I don't even care about Leo." I stammered quickly, rising to my feet, feeling a sense of relief wash over my shoulders as I said this to Casey. He never judged me like the rest of my family. He just listened… he was a lot like my Mom in that sense.

"I hope he never comes back." I grumbled.

"Come on." Casey called to me. "Aren't you being a little hard on the guy?"

"… I dunno. It's possible." I sighed. "I guess if I could live anywhere other than the city, I'd go to." I shrugged. "But I could never leave this place. I mean, I can't even sleep without the sound of the subway rumbling over my head." I chuckled. "Guess it comes from growing up with a household full of brothers… and a one crazy Mother."

Casey chuckled. '…How is she doing by the way? Ms. A I mean."

I glanced at him, not sure what he meant.

"…Nicole came by earlier today. Said what happened." he looked out towards the streets. "Plus, April and me saw the News."
I shrugged. "I dunno." I said honestly. "I never saw her like that before. I haven't really seen her since either."

"…You should bring her by our place sometime. She's been down in those Sewers too long. I'm sure some time with April might do her some good. It always has before."
"Yeah." I nodded. "I might just do that." I frowned. "I just know though that… this whole Leo thing is what is mainly keeping her down." I growled. "If he just came back… ugh, maybe it is better he doesn't come back."
"You don't mean that man." Casey insisted. I glanced at him. He shrugged. "Listen, I'm not trying to tell you what to do, I'm just saying if it was my brother, I would try to find some way to work it out. But that is just me. I have my own issues, y'know?" Casey continued to talk, and I tried to listen, but I felt myself kind of fading out.

I hadn't gotten any sleep at all these past 24 hours and man was I tired.

I feel kind of bad that I fell asleep right there and then. I wasn't even able to hear everything Casey said. Hope it wasn't too important.

-0000-DONATELLO-000-

Around 7 or so in the afternoon I stumbled out of my lab to find Mikey resting on the couch. "Hey Mikey." I waved to him.

"Hey bro." he smiled. Looking hesitant, he lifted up a DVD case. "Wanna watch a movie with me?"
Normally I would say no. I was either working or going to be, so I don't really remember spending too much time with Mikey as of late. "…Sure." I smiled.

Looking excited, Mikey leapt up. "R-Really? Sweet!" he beamed. "I'll get some snacks!" he made a break for the kitchen.
"Don't grab too much." I warned.

"There is no such thing as too much!' he countered. Chuckling, I plopped down on the recliner and leaned back. Letting out a sigh I hadn't realized I was holding in, I relaxed.

It was nice to relax like this. "…What movie are we watching?" I called into the kitchen.

"Ghost Rider!" Mikey giggled.

Well okay, whatever. I never saw that movie before, but I think Mikey likes it. Though, I can't see we have always had similar tastes in movie pictures.

Rushing back, his arms loaded with snacks and drinks, he spread them out on the coffee table proudly. "Tada~!" he wiggled his fingers. "Let the party begin!"

Wanting to say something about the sugar intake Mikey was tempting to stuff down his throat, I paused, recalling Nicole's words; about being the Brother for a little while instead of always trying to be the leader.

Though I've always been hesitant on letting Mikey eat so much sweets, from time to time I would sometimes allow it. I haven't done that in a while though… so I'll let it slide, at least for tonight.

Plus, even with the piles of snacks, the night didn't turn out that bad. I actually enjoyed the movie, and Mikey's commentary made it a little funny too.

At some point that night, I feel asleep.

Just like most other nights I would wake up, make breakfast, and get to work.

At least, that is what I thought would happen. It wasn't till Raphael starting smacking my shoulder, jolting me awake, that I realized my whole life was about to take a drastic turn.

"Hey." He grunted. Squinting my eyes at him, I growled.

"What?"

"Leo's back." He said. "Better go say hello before he leaves again."

…What?
Feeling as if I was caught up in some sort of dream, my older Brother suddenly came into view. He was taller than I remember, and his brown eyes stared at me gentle pass the blue mask I always remembered him wearing.

"Donatello." He smiled.

This wasn't happening. This was a dream. A sick dream that would leave me crying when I woke up. It couldn't be real.

This… This was-

Suddenly, Leo stepped towards me, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. "Hey." He whispered into my shoulder. His body felt warm, and his embrace was tight. "I'm back."

I was so dumbfounded, I barely even realized I was hugging back. My grip so tight there was no way Leo was leaving this hug any time soon.

…This… This was real.

My Brother was home.

He was home!

Oh no, this bad... I think I'm crying.