Leonardo rubbed sleep from his eyes as he contemplated the plate of dumplings and vegetables that Mikey had brought back from the palace kitchens. Raphael sat next to him, having just helped Donatello sit up so he could sip at his thin soup, stomach not yet ready for a heavier repast. Splinter and their youngest joined them, quietly dining for the first time a whole family in too long. The silence therefore made it obvious when the healer and the Daimyo returned.

"Please my friends, remain as you are." The giant man requested when the Hamato Clan made to rise. "The Healer believes he is ready to give his findings."

The healer moved fluidly as his Lord gestured him forward. "My conclusions are, primarily of course, that Donatello-San is in need of proper food and rest. There are abrasions due to being restrained for a prolonged period, but these too are easily resolved. My main concern is the foreign device imbedded in Donatello-San's spinal cord."

"Bishop said he could track it anywhere on Earth." Leonardo softly put in, rubbing soothing circles on his ailing brother's arm. "If we're going to go home, it has to come out."

A small wince flashed in the healer's eyes behind his mask, driving a spike of fear into the young leader's heart. "That is the problematic portion of Donatello-San's recovery."

The brothers shared alarmed glances as Splinter leaned forward. "How do you mean, Honoured Healer?" His voice betraying nothing, even as weathered paws tightened on the walking stick held across his lap.

"I am afraid that the device does not appear to have been implanted, so much as grown into Donatello-San's spinal cord." He knelt in front of the stricken turtle so as to address him directly. "This mean that the device is deeply entangled with vital nerves, much as branches in a thicket that have grown together forming a single structure." He paused to remove his mask, sympathy bared to his patient. "I am sorry young man, but any attempt to remove it would certainly leave you paralyzed from mid-chest down, if not kill you outright."

Holy Shell. It still hadn't quite sunk in. I get dah chance, Bishop is gonna be pick'n teeth outah the back 'a his eyes. Donnie couldn't go home. Maybe not ever. Mikey was still wrapped around him, riding out his immediate older brother's sobs.

Raph couldn't blame him. After a month of hell, he'd just found out he'd pretty much lost his whole world. Leo and Splinter were in the corner, two family heads trying to determine the future of their clan. Raphael had never been so happy about Splinter passing him over for leadership.

Whatt're we gonna do? Wasn't that the question of the hour. One thing he knew for sure, they weren't splitting up. As a group they'd nixed that idea for a near hyperventilating Donatello. Raph understood his brother's attempt at martyristic self-exile, any of them would give that and more for the others. Doesn't mean the others would let them. Leo had summed it up nicely, "We're a package deal Donnie. All or nothing." Either way, they would be saying goodbye to Casey and April. This sucks.

Splinter and Leo finally moving out of the corner pulled Raph from picking at his wrist wraps. As their solemn young leader joined Mikey and don in a defensive huddle on the floor, Splinter approached the Daimyo near the grand entrance.

"My Dear Friend, many years we have known each other and I have trusted few others with my family. I thank you so very much for providing us aid at this, one of the most trying times our clan has faced. As ever, if there is anything I can do to adequately demonstrate that gratitude, I am at your disposal. I now find myself trusting you with that dearest to me once again, and asking more than ever before."

The aged rat paused to sink to his knees in front of the Master of the Realm. "Ulitmate Daimyo of the Battle Nexus, I, Hamato Splinter, Jonin of the Hamato Clan, ask that we be permitted to reside in your kingdom and serve your interests as you see fit."

Wow, livin' here? I'm gonna hafta start taking this mystical crap more seriously. Or…not? The red garbed giant had removed his mask, and he wasn't smiling.

"Splinter-San, I am afraid I cannot grant this request."

Raphael hadn't seen his father so absolutely gobsmacked since his young sons had presented him a garish display of plastic flowers in a bong. The Daimyo uncharacteristically stammered over his words, rushing to reassure his diminutive friend.

"It would be a pleasure to have you all live here, however it is a physical impossibility." Gesturing outside, "You may have noticed that only our kind are permanent residents of the Nexus. Being at the centre of a dimensional confluence means there is a great deal of radiant energy here." The craggy man settled himself cross-legged in front of Splinter. "My people are immune to it effects, but other species range from extremely vulnerable to somewhat resistant. The Nexus Tournament is held at a time when the energies are at their lowest ebb so as to accommodate as many different peoples as possible."

Oddly, this semi-scientific conversation was working wonders at calming their convalescent. Raph could see the misery and panic clear from Don's deep, brown eyes as his brain began to chew on the new information. But the Daimyo wasn't done yet.

"All this means is that while you can tolerate the energy for a few days at a time, taking up permanent residence here is quite impossible for creatures other than my people. I do however, wish to help." Even he looked relieved at saying this, as if not being able to grant Splinter's request had actually been causing him pain. "What I can do, my friend, is help you settle on a new world of your choice. We have extensive records to help you choose, and I would gladly provide transportation between realms, as I am certain there are matters you wish to resolve before leaving Third Earth."

Hands braced on silk-garbed knees, the great man sat a bit straighter, "Lastly there is a point of honour that has been weighing on my mind. Not only did my son attack your family on more than one occasion, but you foiled both his attempts to usurp my throne, and returned to me the beloved child I had thought lost forever. As a parent, Splinter-San, you know the pain of failing your child in any way, to have a second chance with him is precious to me beyond words. Therefore, I will provide your family with ample capital to found your new home on the world you choose." He raised a hand to forestall any objection. "I will accept no argument in this matter, my honour and conscience demand it."

If Splinter wasn't healthy as a horse, Raphael may have been concerned about the possibility of a heart attack or stroke following the emotional whiplash of the Daimyo's speech. "I," he cleared his throat, blinking back tears. "Thankyou. Thankyou so very much. I accept your generous offer, My Lord, with deep gratitude. In return, wherever we eventually settle, please know you are eternally welcome as guest. Everyone needs a vacation from time to time afterall."

His answer was the Daimyo's deep rumbling chuckle. "Excellent. I would enjoy that very much. I will have my scribes bring you records pertaining to everyone suitable world as soon as possible, a few days here will not harm you, but any longer than that and you will all start to feel the effects of the nexus."

"Usagi." Leonardo immediately flushed with embarrassment as the two elders he'd interrupted turned their weighty attention to him. "Sorry."

Splinter flicked a paw in dismissal. "No my Son, please continue. What about Usagi-San?"

The leaf scaled turtle shifted under scrutiny. "It's just, I was thinking, we already sort of fit in on Usagi's world, and we might have an in. After I helped Lord Noriyuki deal with Lord Hebi, he offered me a place in his service." He raised a hand to forestall his brother's concern. "I obviously turned him down at the time, saying I didn't want to leave my family, but he might be amiable to having an honourable ninja clan at his disposal."

Splinter looked thoughtful. "Truly it is not that different from the offer I made The Daimyo," a nod to that honoured individual, "But he is known to me, Lord Noriyuki is not. What was your estimation of his character Leonardo?"

The clan second met the eyes of his brothers in turn as he replied. "He is young, and a bit idealistic, but the same could be said of us. He didn't cower when Hebi moved against him and was unwilling to abandon a loyal servant when Tomoe-Aimai was abducted, even when it posed a risk to him personally. Honestly, in my opinion, the greatest point in his favour is Usagi himself. Usagi serves him willingly and would risk his life for that panda. That says volumes to me."

"Splinter-San," The Daimyo interjected, "I have never met the young lord myself, but Usagi spoke highly of him. I think you could do far worse."

The elderly rat tapped a long claw thoughtfully against his chin. "It does have the appearance of being our best option. I hesitate to rush into anything however. I will meditate on this and give my decision tomorrow." Standing, we withdrew to Raphael's side.

"In the meantime, Raphael, I know what I am next to ask you is difficult, but I would like you and Michelangelo to return home. I am sure Mr and Mrs Jones are well panicked at this point. It would be cruel to leave them in suspense any longer."

"Yes Sensei." He hated giving people bad news.