The Disposable, Hated, Forgotten

Percy

Percy was very pleased to see Raphael awake again, but was concerned about the little turtle, Mikey. Percy could relate to the guy, constantly joking and other people not taking him super seriously, but he also knew that it can be a good way to hide as well. Being happy and silly makes people instantly relax around you, and it makes it harder for them to see that something is wrong. His mind went back to when he and Annabeth got trapped in Tartarus. How he had acted the same, or at least tried to, so he wouldn't worry Annabeth. Mikey seemed very good at that kind of deception.

Percy wanted to talk to Mikey about what went down in the infirmary because it was obvious he'd been crying, but Percy didn't dare pry. Instead Percy acted completely oblivious to the situation and took them to the picnic tables for breakfast. Still, his thoughts just kept drifting to Mikey and the rest of the turtles. They were like him in many ways, no one should ever have seen what they had, but in so many other ways they were different. No, not just the way they look. He didn't know if they were older or younger than him, but the definitely acted older, especially Leonardo.

Leo, he acted like Jason a lot, but far more intense and solem. Percy wondered how Leo came to be so cold, so hard. He thought back to the time he spent with them inside the van. They all had been very concerned for Raph, with good reason, but had any of them actually looked surprised or shocked? No, not really, in fact they all seemed to take it as a grave reality. Again, Percy wondered what had they gone through to get here and what they've been through in their life.

As they were walking to the tables, Percy once again noticed the gawking stares of the other campers. Everyone who missed seeing the turtles on their way to the Big House to see Chiron was certainly watching now. Part of Percy wanted to shove all of them back in their cabins and give them a brief lecture on manners, but the other part of Percy understood why they stared. As much as he hated to admit it, he was one of the most famous and popular demigods in camp. Didn't he slay hundreds of monsters over the years? Now, suddenly he's giving monsters a tour of the camp. Percy winced, it was really hard to remember not to call them monsters.

Percy looked to his right and caught Annabeth's eyes. She walked over quickly, her face unreadable. Leo, who had been trying to focus on the ground and away from the stares, quickly shot his head up as soon as Annabeth started to approach. Percy slowed, but didn't stop walking, allowing Annabeth to walk beside him. She looked over her shoulder at Leo and Mikey. Mikey gave her a big smile and waved, and Annabeth couldn't help but smile back. She laced her fingers in Percy's and leaned close to him.

"I can't believe it. They are actually real," Annabeth whispered.

"Yeah," Percy replied, "and um, you were right. They are actually quite nice."

"I told you," Annabeth said back with a smirk.

"As cute as this is," Mikey interrupted with a lopsided grin, "I get the feeling you were hoping by talking in whispers we wouldn't hear."

Annabeth whirled around and looked at Mikey in surprise.

"I don't think Percy has told you," Leo continued, "but we're ninjas. One of our specialties is eavesdropping on conversations. Oh, and thanks by the way."

Annabeth gave Percy a cocked eyebrow and Percy couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Then her eyebrows knit as she thought for a moment.

"Weren't there four of you?" She asked Leo.

"They're both in the infirmary," Leo replied. "My brother Raphael is receiving medical treatment and my other brother Donatello is resting. He's been up for at least the past 48 hours, probably more."

"Raphael and Donatello, like the famous artist?" She asked.

"Heh, yes," Leo replied with one of the biggest smiles he's had all morning. "Our father named us all after famous renaissance artists. My name is Leonardo and this is my brother Michelangelo."

"So do you actually do a lot of art?"

"Hm, not the kind you might typically think of when you say 'art'," Leo said thoughtfully. "I definitely consider Ninjitsu a fine art. Donnie invents a lot of different things for us, so he is pretty decent at drawing."

"I like to draw too," Mikey interrupted, "but it's not very good. I do whatever craft I feel like doing at the time. I am also really, really good at Origami and Kirigami."

"What is Keeri-game-e?" Asked Percy, struggling to pronounce the name.

"Origami when you cut the paper," Mikey replied shrugging.

"What about you Leo. Any other art you do other than Ninjutsu?" Annabeth said over her shoulder.

"Leo does calligraphy sometimes," Mikey responded before Leo could say anything. "When he's done writing mantras he'll paint a fox or something. If he is really in a good mood he'll just paint pictures on silk paper. You should see how detailed they are, some take him months to finish and are, like, miles long!"

"They aren't just pictures Mikey," Leo said, obviously peeved. "They're Emakimono, images with narrative. They depict battles, romance, religion, folk tales, and stories of the supernatural world." He turned to Annabeth, trying to involve himself in a more intelligent conversation. "Heian art is one of my greatest inspirations."

"Which is your favorite?" She asked.

"Genji Monogatari Emaki, it's a famous illustrated handscroll of the Japanese literature classic The Tale of Genji from the 12th century," Leo said confidently. "The Edo period is also a very interesting time for art as well, The print Red Fuji from 's series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji is another one of my favorites."

"Leeeoooo," Mikey whined, "You're starting to rant again."

Leo cast his brother a disapproving look, but stopped talking about Japanese art, much to Annabeth's and -though he would never admit it to Annabeth- Percy's disappointment. Percy looked back at Leo, he looked more at ease than he'd been all morning. That was good.

"So, um, your brother, Raphael was it? Does he do any art?" Annabeth asked.

"I don't think Raph would like it if I told you," Mikey said, "so I'm going to tell you. Raph would never admit it, but he LOVES to sew. Any part of our gear that has fabric and tears, he immediately patches it up. I remember during the second Kraang invasion Leo had gotten hurt pretty bad, so Raph stayed by his side for three months while Leo recovered from his coma. While he was waiting for Leo to wake up, he sewed an entire quilt by hand-" Mikey paused and looked down, the light gone from his eyes. "I...I guess I'm as good at ranting as Leo, huh? Just don't know when to shut my mouth."

Leo gently pulled his brother under his arm. Concern glinted in the leader's eyes. Annabeth's eyes widened at a sudden realization.

"W-wait, you said your brother is receiving medical attention," Annabeth said, wide eyed. "Is he-? How is he doing?"

"Better," replied Percy for the turtles, "but he's still got quite some time before he fully recovers. His injuries are pretty severe."

"I have to say," Leo added softly, "If Percy hadn't taken us in, I don't know if Raph would have made it the rest of today."

"Oh Gods," said Annabeth, "I'm so sorry, I had no idea."

"He's ok...ish, but I just feel bad for leaving him alone," Leo said. "I mean, he's not really alone, Donnie, April, Casey, Will, and Nico are all there with him, But Will and Nico said they'd be coming with us in just a minute and the others are so tired I don't think there is anyway Raph could wake them if he needed something."

Leo looked more anxious by the second as he talked. Percy half expected him to run back to the infirmary and check on his brother right then.

"Listen," Annabeth said. "I know what it is like to have a friend or family member hurt like that. I could watch over your brother this morning, I don't have any activities to run today and I can always get breakfast later."

"You would do that?" Leo asked.

"Absolutely, with your permission of course."

Leo nodded, his gratefulness showing in his eyes. Annabeth smiled broke away from the group. Percy noticed the way Mikey stared at the ground and it made his heart hurt. It was going to be a hard morning for everyone.