6738 Miles

Part Of Him

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."