Don's POV

I glared suspiciously at the back of my older brother's shell. What the shell does Leo think he's doing? I growled lightly. I don't like this. Our team isn't any more complete with Raph out of the country as it was when Leo was gone. "What's all this about, Leo?" I asked as we ground to a halt on the roof of a tall building overlooking the city.

Leo didn't answer. He hummed and began to survey the nearby rooftops. In a flippant bout of anger, I removed my bo staff and whacked our 'Fearless leader' over the head. "What the shell, Donnie?!"

"I asked you a goddamn question Leonardo and I expect you to answer it!"

"Whoa, D, calm down!"

My eyes narrowed, but I did as Michelangelo asked. To be honest, I couldn't bring myself to be mad at him. There was nothing to be mad at him for. The first few days after my immediate older brother's departure, I directed my anger at Raphael. But then something else began to anger me. Leonardo acted as though absolutely nothing had changed. When Leo left, Raph was as deeply affected as the rest of us. So far, Leo hasn't shown nearly the amount of remorse as Mikey and Myself. I just can't believe that he, the one who fights Raph the most, the one who depended on Raph's strength and devotion to keep his team together, couldn't even bring himself to act like he was as affected as we were.

No. I'm being unfair. It isn't Leo's fault that Raph's gone. It isn't his fault that he doesn't realize how much this hurts us. He doesn't realize the amount of pain and heartbreak this will cause. He doesn't know because he wasn't here. Leo will never know because he wasn't here. Leo will never know how much we missed him, not truly. He'll never know how hard it was. He'll never understand. Just like Raph always said.

Raph...I wonder how he's doing. In all likelihood, he's struggling to adjust. But just like Leo will never understand our plight, Mikey and I have no way of knowing what it's like to be alone, thousands of miles from home. At least...not unless Sensei decides to send us off someday. There's no way of knowing whether he will or not. Personally, I hope he never does. During Leo's absence, Mikey and I were pulled much closer together since Raph withdrew to his own little 'Nightwatcher' sphere.

If I were to get sent away...Mikey would be devastated. I send the turtle in question a sideways glance. His eyes are red, and his head is held high, but it's obvious that he's struggling to keep a smile plastered on his face.

I can feel the corners of my mouth pulling down into a frown. Mikey and Raph have always had a very special relationship. Mikey brings out the soft side in our hotheaded brother. Raph never really meant to hurt him and he would sulk around for days if he thought he had. 

But, I don't think even Mikey realizes how strong a bond Raph and I have. I know that I'm hard on his sometimes, but I love my immediate older sibling. Raphael has always been there for me. He was my protector. My brave big brother. Let is suffice to say that Michelangelo isn't the only one who sees Raphael as his hero. Raph has always been my hero. Ever since we were seven years old...

"Donnie! Earth to Donnie! You okay?" Leo asked, waving a hand in front of my face.

I glowered and muttered, "I'm fine, Leo," as I pushed past him.

He frowned and threw his hands up in surrender. "Alright Don, I give. What did I do?"

"You lied to us, Leo! You knew and you didn't say anything!"

His blue eyes steeled over and he frowned. "It wasn't my place to."

"Fuck you Leo." Both of my brothers stared at me in shock. Mikey reached towards me, but I jerked away. "You don't understand. You'll never understand. After what happened with your trip, Mikey, Raph and I were deeply scarred. Those scars didn't fade, Leo. They've been ripped open again. You cannot begin to understand."

I was startled by a forest-green hand resting gently on my shoulder.

"I can try." He murmured softly.

I shook my head vehemently from side to side.

Leo sighed and moved away with an unreadable expression on his face. The next thing I knew two, thin arms wrapped around my shell and pulled me into a tight hug. My eyes stared straight over Mikey's shoulder to where Leo stood with his carapace to us.

"You aren't the only one who experienced hardship." He stated. Then his voice dropped to a mere whisper as he confessed, "There were moments where I wanted nothing more than to give up and return home."

I couldn't help but glare at him as I returned Mikey's hug. "So why didn't you?" I retorted, unable to retain the tint of bitterness from my voice.

"Because I was afraid."

My eyes softened a little as I finally let go of Michelangelo and we both turned to face our older sibling. "What really happened out there Leo?"

He sighed and turned away to stare at the bright cityscape of our home. "This isn't the time or place. Come on."

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Mikey's POV

I glanced nervously from Donnie to Leonardo's carapace.

"This isn't the time or place. Come on." He ordered over his shoulder. We watched him jump to a roof below.

I sighed. It never is. I'm beginning to wonder whether or not Leo will ever tell the truth about his time in the jungle... I motioned Don to go first and he jumped after Leo.

I took a brief moment to look out at the city. The city Raphael loved so much. The people in it that he would gladly give his life for.

I wonder how he's doing...I miss him. I know he probably doesn't realize it, but Raphael has always been a very important friend to me. Where are you Raphie? What have you gotten yourself into?

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Leo's POV

I looked behind me and realized that I was one brother short. I jumped back up to the roof we were just on, slightly concerned. "Mikey?" I asked softly. I could feel Don jump to the roof not long after me, radiating a similar level of concern. He turned to me with a very somber expression on his normally happy face.

"Do you ever wonder why?"

I raised a confused eye-ridge. "Why what?"

"Why Raph loves it so much. This city, I mean. It's our home and we love it, but he's different. It's a part of Raph. He's native. He has the accent. He cares more about the people of this city than his own life. Why?"

I was silent. I'd never thought about it that way before. Huh. I wonder why he loves it so much...

To our very great surprise, Don was the one who answered. "His heart is too big." I turned to the purple-masked turtle with curiosity. "He cares too much. Like you said Mikey, this city is part of him. And the people he protects are part of his 'family'. He'd do anything to keep them safe. Just like he would for us."

I'm glad I took them topside. We all ended up releasing some pent-up emotions. So I'm pleased. But...Donatello is still acting out. I have a feeling that there's more to it than what he said earlier. But that is a discussion for another time right now we need to get back to the lair. I want to tell Sensei about what was said tonight so that he can advise me as to how I should proceed from here.

But as soon as we got back...I knew something was wrong. I frowned and threw out my arms to hold my brothers back. "Hold it. Something's wrong." I drew my katana and a low groan made us rush to the dojo. I threw open the sliding door. We all rushed in as we saw Father standing, frozen, with his eyes wide and his hand on his chest. The next thing we knew he had collapsed on the floor exclaiming, "Raphael!"

I sheathed my swords and dropped to his side, my brothers following suit. "Sensei!" We all yelled. Master Splinter stared at us blankly as though he didn't realize we were there. I grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him gently. "Sensei?!"

The blank look on his face remained in place as he muttered, "Oh Raphael, what have you done?!"

My brothers and I exchanged horrified glances. "What's going on, Sensei? Has something happened to Raph?" I asked.

Sensei didn't respond, but the blank look on his face was soon replaced by one of horror, only to be quickly followed by an expression of apathy. "Leave me, my sons. I must meditate."

All three of us bristled. Before I could say anything, however, Donatello beat me to it. "Not until you tell us what's going on! What happened to Raph?!"

Sensei sighed. "Your brother has...I'm sorry my sons. But I'm afraid I can tell you nothing more at this time. I must meditate."

Raphael, what have you done? I thought briefly before plunging into a deeply meditative state.

Adachi, answer me! What has happened to my son?!

*I told you it was only a matter of time, my friend. The stone has called him. He dared to touch it. Without the proper teachings, it has backfired.*

Will he live?

*That is for the spirits to decide.*