It surprised Mikey at how quiet Donnie was. He literally balled up into his arms, as Mike continued to run through the sewers, hearing Donnie's heartbeat and his own beat so loud it might as well echo through the sewers.

After what felt like minutes, but probably were just a few seconds after he snatched Donnie from Shredder, the boy poked his head up. And Mikey glanced down, sad, confused brown eyes pooling in tears with confident blue ones.

"I know you." Donnie spoke, and Mikey's heartbeat even faster.

"No–no you don't." Was all he can say, and Donnie gave a quick laugh.

"Yeah! You're my brother. But older?" He hugged his bicep as Mike ran faster. He didn't know his identity would get revealed so quickly by a five-year-old. But the first time Donnie was… killed, he identified Raph. Maybe it was his mask?

He approached the lair, well stayed a 100 feet away from it so his brothers and dad don't identify him either. He gently put the child down and went on his knee to make eye contact with him.

"Okay, you got me." Mike gave him a goofy grin, trying to make the child feel relaxed and earn his trust. "I came 'cause that mean man could have hurt you, but now you're safe!"

At that Donnie's face paled, and Mikey gave him a slight pout. "I know, I know, but listen buddy, what happened today never happened, okay? Don't tell your brothers or father. Can you promise me that?" Donnie feverishly nodded, and Mike gave him a quick pat on the shell. "Okay, I'll see you soon then." Mike gave him a wink and disappeared in the shadows.

Donnie watched him go, and then stared at the slice on his palm, tilting his head, trying to wrap his mind around what just happened.