The Turtle and the Murderer

The Mark of Love

Splinter suddenly remembered about his eldest sons and how they would react to the Hickey. Splinter sighed, careful not to scare his youngest. Mikey looked at Splinter with concern painted on his eyes. Splinter looked at Mikey with a small smile. "Michelangelo, you do realize that we must cover up that Mark, correct?" Splinter asked sweetly. Mikey's eyes widened. He almost forgot about his Brothers and their reaction. He placed his hand on the still sore "Hickey". Splinter walked into the Dojo, Mikey following shortly after. Splinter grabbed a gauge bandage and placed it on Mikey's Hickey. Mikey sheepishly smiled, a little nervous about the bandage. Splinter looked at Mikey calmly before speaking. "Now, my son, we mustn't tell your Brothers about your Love." Splinter spoke cautiously. Mikey looked at Splinter, nodded his head, and smiled.

A crash was heard. Shortly after, a desperate voice rang out. "Mikey!" They heard Raph yell. Mikey and Splinter chuckled. They must've thought Mikey ran off again. Mikey decided to walk out of the Dojo to see his Brothers. Splinter followed behind. "Guys, I'm right here." Mikey stated innocently. Leo, Raph, and Donnie had fallen down the stairs and toppled onto each other. Mikey saw this and chuckled. Donnie got off of Raph and Raph got off of Leo. They swiftly walked to Mikey, trying to make sure that they didn't scare him. Raph gave Mikey a hug. Everyone was shocked by this act. "Don't scare us like that, got it?" Raph stated sternly. Mikey hugged Raph back. "Okay, I'm sorry." Mikey spoke softly.

When the two Brothers parted, Raph saw the bandage on Mikey's neck. He looked frantic. "Mikey, what did ya do?" Raph asked, still trying to calm down. Leo and Donnie looked to where Raph was staring and saw the bandage. They looked worried. Before Mikey could muster an answer, Splinter spoke. "He woke up with a small cut, so I had to patch his neck. It will fully heal in about a week." Splinter spoke calmly, as if it were the truth. Splinter and Mikey knew it was a lie, but tried not showing it. Mikey took a deep breath and smiled. "Oh, okay... I guess it was from last night." Donnie stated softly. Leo and Raph had "why, though" looks. Donnie shrugged. "No matter, I'll tend to it from now on." Donnie stated reassuringly. Mikey's smile almost faded. If Donnie were to see the Mark, then he would show the other two. "That won't be neccessary, Donatello." Splinter stated calmly. Everyone looked at Splinter. "I must tend to the wound. Everyone has been crowding Michelangelo, so he only feels comfortable with me." Splinter spoke softly.

Everyone faced Mikey now. Mikey was starting to look uncomfortable. Leo sighed, Donnie bit his cheek, and Raph had his regular scold. Mikey's smile faded completely before he ran to his room. Tears were beginning to cloud his vision. "Mikey, wait!" He could hear Leo yell. Mikey didn't care, though. Once he slammed his door shut, he laid his shell on it and slid down. He began to heavily breathe while hearing Splinter. All this pressure was finally hitting him. He regretted hitting his Brothers, leaving the lair, seeing the dead corpse.

Mikey gingerly placed his hand on the bandage. He sighed. 'The one thing I don't regret doing is meeting Nora...' Mikey thought calmly. Just remembering his Dream prior makes him smile. He sighed with content. 'You're the Knife to my Heart.' Mikey remembered telling Nora that. As he sat there for a few minutes, he began to think about the Dream more. He remembered how he wanted - no, needed - to kiss Nora, how he felt safe and secure being so close to her, even just her warmth made him shutter with delight. He never wanted her Dangerous Light to fade. Mikey smiled happily. 'I must be in Love...' Mikey thought admiringly. He continued holding his Mark gingerly. Mikey sighed again. He looked towards his Mark with content. 'This is our Mark of Love.' Mikey thought lovingly. His smile grew even bigger.