New Beginnings *Six years later* (December) *Hamato Clan*

Six years had passed since the mall had became unstable. Raph had supported Bruce in the beginning, so when things fell apart, it was a real kick in the tail. He still liked the guy, but even he had to admit that it was time to abandon ship when the man would no longer listen to reason. Just like Carl with his group, he supported Leo's decision to move his clan elsewhere.

They had found a new location and after some work, it was secure enough to call home. What they did not expect, was the unlikely inhabitant that had been living in the surrounding forest of the building, scavenging the structure whenever food became scarce.

Raphael had always thought he and his brothers were the only of his kind, but his chance encounter while out surveying their surroundings proved otherwise...

A female mutant turtle. Her skin light toned in comparison to theirs, sporting an aqua blue bandana and adorning a cloak. The female was reluctant to expose herself, but knowing she wasn't alone in the world gradually warmed her up. Her English was broken, but she spoke fluent Japanese but over time, her communication became better.

The clan took her in, but the new addition was slow to grow on Raphael. In the early years, he was still adjusting to his robotic arm, and the mechanical eye that had been harvested from MetalHead. The nanos had bonded with his damaged tissue, but the new cyber eye was far from normal. He had to adapt to seeing half the world in infrared,  in heat detection. Certainly an advantage, but an annoyance while adapting.  It made him crankier than usual...

..and the female turtle...Mei Pei Chi, who Mikey nicknamed 'Venus', was so annoying! They butted heads. A LOT! What was even more frustrating, the girl was always right in every argument.  Ugh!

It was both a relief and an annoyance when Ve formed an attachment to Leo. But there were two things that dubbed that relationship hopeless. Venus was too much like Leo, and his older brother was already happily paired with Erica.

The months following Venus' heartbreak were..annoying..

She cried, a lot! Raph wasn't sure how someone could cry so much and NOT become dehydrated! And through the annoyance, deep down...he did feel bad for her. Rejection was something he was familiar with.

As the months ticked on, Venus' infatuation with his older brother seemed to fade. She became less annoying (or, maybe he was just falling for her), and turned out, she was a pretty good sparring partner. When not practicing with his brothers, he would have private, one on one sessions with her...

The years ticked on, and the two became closer. Still, Raph was afraid to get close to any female on that level, especially knowing Leo had been her first choice...

..but eventually, the inevitable happened. Breeding season hit, and this time, Venus made no attempt to mask her pheromones,  or her intentions of wanting to be a mother, and choosing Rapheal as her mate. A week long courtship, tons of sex had formed a bond, and left the female pregnant.

That had been eight months ago, and Raph finally let himself go with her. He allowed himself to fall in love. And he got to experience everything that he had been so jealous of Leo for having...pure love and acceptance..

But sadly, his love story would have a tragic end....

It had been a month, and the emotional  trauma was still crippling. He couldn't unsee the scared expression etched into her features... decapitated head resting on a bloodied table as the hunters butchered her, stripping skin from meat, her shell smashed open along the bridge to get at the flesh and....eggs...


Raph had went searching for her after she did not return from collecting herbs and berries. His heart stopped when he spotted the blood stains at the location where the hunters pack of dogs tore into her...

Her basket of trampled berries strewn on the ground...

The blood trail that led him back to their camp...

The blinding rage that overtook him when he realized what had happened. They had slaughtered her like an animal! Losing all control, he tore into the hunters, and the hounds that attacked...he killed them all..leaving women widowed and children fatherless, but rage prevented him from registering any of that.

Their fearful cries only vaguely registered as the adrenaline  began to ease, and the total devastation began to set in. Blood poured from the puncture wounds left by the now dead dogs, and the deep cuts left by the hunters machetes...

Warm tears rolled down his cheeks as he took in the carnage. His future...his love...gone...

His unborn children...two eggs of the clutch of three, rolling in a soup pot of boiling water...the third, a tear in its leathery shell...on the ground. Dropping  to his knees, Raph scooped up his only ray of hope, cradling it in his non-robotic arm..

After burying Venus and their dead offspring at rhe couples' favorite love making spot in the meadow by their pond, Raph lingered with the damaged, but still 'alive' egg...

Days later, he returned home, a bloody mess and more withdrawn than usual. It didn't take the family long to realize what had happened, but a month had passed, and he still could not relive the horrors with words. Most of his time was spent isolated in his room, blankly staring at the egg that rested within the warmth of an old incubator.

It had been determined that most of the babies development took place still inside the mother, unlike normal turtles.. his little one was expected to make his or her arrival any day..


...mixed feelings from the expecting father, but to know a part of Venus would live... it wasn't all for nothing...

Mikey had awoken very early and checked on the farmers farming their limited crops and the goats and chickens. Taking down figures about numbers and supplies. Leo would want them for the coming winter. Then he went to the storage and checked rations.


He paused upon closing the storage space hidden in what used to be a supermarket and thought about the last six years. Six years... since they had been forced from the Mall. Forced to gather who ever wanted to come with them - surprisingly it had been quiet a lot - and coming here.


It had not been their first choice. New York... Home ... would have been... but as Leo had stated on the road long ago when they were running and fighting for their lives and others they wouldn't make it. And home - was transitory - family was home. Donnie had the brilliant idea to take Bishop's compound. It was large, fortified and April and Casey had knowledge of the place and it's people. Annnnnd as Raph had pointed out they owed Bishop in any case for taking such great care of their father. The battle had not been easy but eventually... they won. Leo ending Bishop's life and reign over this walled off section of Atlanta and even bringing to heel what remained of the strange rat creatures (and everybody else mind) to heel with a roar, he even saved that awesome sound! ( https://soundcloud.com/maya-brenna/roar/s-xzGHe ) !! only if you play it on headphones be wary it was loooooud! though louder in person. Mikey still got tingles thinking about that - he didn't even know as turtles they could make such sounds and in the rare moments he found himself alone he tried it - getting caught once by his brother in red. How embarrassing!


On that day in the aftermath of battle and in the new dawn light Mikey grinned recalling Erica and Leo tying the knot. And now six years on with hard work and proving themselves they had a... well it wasn't perfect but they had food and their slowly growing number of citizens were reasonably content... for people living in mostly constant fear. In the early years they dealt with hordes and the odd attacks from other sometimes larger or more savage groups of survivors and super zombies and still did from time to time. Donnie, he felt was mostly to do with the drop in attacks. Their walled off section of city had better walls and weapons. And Casey handling all things security as he had been in the Mall, Raph had originally been appointed the job but his loss....


Mikey thought briefly over that time, four years after Leo and Erica tied the knot and this female turtle shows up. Mikey wondered if being the alpha was what initially attracted Venus to Leo. And the orange clad turtle had rather thought the turtle girls pheromones would win out. But his oldest brother seemed to resist her charms and remain loyal to his human... who was less human now - and would become less so... What did Donnie call it? Sexually Transmitted Mutism. Now the little... none human could roar herself and had claws and fangs of her own...


And jealous as Mikey was he made no play for the turtle girl. If Leo had been her first choice he knew the pecking order among his brothers - he would be last. But he did like her and good friends and had excited for her and Raph when that became more than friends... finally. The news and discovery of her loss and Raph's spree was still felt. None the less that it was Donnie … and Lilo and Stitch's efforts that kept the remaining egg... alive.


Leo so far had not pushed their brother to come back into the fold of the full busy community and Mikey wondered how much longer that would last. And Whilst Raph had grieved and Leo, Don, Splinter and Mikey did what they could for him, whatever he allowed them to do. Whilst April, Casey, Erica and Lilo had had to deal with those that had been left to grieve in the wake of Raph's vengeance. Mikey had a horrible feeling some might even be out there with savage communities plotting revenge. But that was what the rangings were for, monitoring their potential and known enemies.


Six years.... Mikey knew technically he was an adult now but he barely felt it... even when he was in the serious business of tallying their winter stores of food. Farming, food and rationing had been given over to Mikey to handle. And he was good at it even if he did say so himself. Somewhere Donnie was doing likewise with tech and supplies and Casey with security personel...  April with medical whilst Lilo was out and general population. Leo would be waiting for them all. As then they may need to send out raiding and scavenging parties into the surrounding Atlanta city on one side and the more wild forested side on the other in earnest before the cold weather really set in and limited movement.


Lilo, Stitch and Erica were still out on ranging. Keeping an eye on zombie hordes of all sorts... and other survivor camps especially Carl's as they tried to help out the young leader when they could.


He tucks away his written figures and numbers into his belt and grins, he didn't like being responsible, though he did well at his role. And he wasn't too pleased with being part of a leading coalition with his brothers, April, Casey, Lilo, Stitch and Erica. But at least he didn't have to make the big hard decisions annnnnd and and noooow he was done for a few hours...time to go find Shen and Yoshi. Hahhaha! oooh the mischief he and his niece and nephew could get into, hopefully sooon they would have another small playmate too! but for now... maybe even a prank! it had been some time since the last one!


As long as no one beat him to the floor he and his brothers shared on the top of the farming building! Maybe he'd pop by and check on his big red wearing brother too - and finding no kiddies he did just that. The farming building was the taller of the two remaining two in this section of Atlanta's out city, the family's quarters were way up the top. The community hall down the bottom. Mikey scaled it as easily as ever and landed with a thud in the garden space Splinter insisted on building pathways leading to rooms.


He bounces towards Raph's and knocks, he'd probably get threatened to have the green beaten off him but he was under Uncle and Brother duty to at least make sure there was life... even if he had to sacrifice some skin for mottling.

Yoshi gestured.... crouching.... sniggering

Shen gave a muffled giggle and scurried after him. The two knew nothing of the dangers of this world really... both sporting big blue eyes.

They were waiting.... waiting for an uncle, except their uncle Raph who was sad and their father had forbidden them to annoy him, or aunty or even Dad to come into the opened up floor of the 'great hall', with mum being away - neither the five and a half year old or his almost two and a year old sister knew why it was called that, or know it used to be an big office buildings entry floor now converted into the Atlantic Communities main eating and communal and big event holding place.
To the two little hybrid mutants, the older boy a little more turtle than his sister this place was just an awesome play ground... and armed with Uncle Don's pea shooter here by the entrance the place was currently the firing range. Well at least the space near the door!

A large hand gently pressed against the glass of the incubator, wishing he could have more contact with his little one, but knowing just how vulnerable he or she was... definitely not out of danger. The tear had been tended to, but the fact that Donnie and Lilo had been able to save his unborn was a miracle... the small blessing that he clung to....


"Your mom used to drive me insane...She was so stubborn..." Words soft and held so much sorrow.... "....I miss 'er. She was brave, tho...strong....like you..." He could feel the warm tears burning at the back of his real eye, but struggled to keep them at bay... He had done too much crying, too much grieving...But it was hard. And....seeing her like that....


The knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Seated on the bed, close to the dresser that held the incubator, he wiped at his eyes. Tempted to turn whoever away, but a part of him needing to break the isolation....


"It's unlocked..." He called out, sorrow in his tone, but inviting....

Mikey wished he brought the niece and nephew... if anything because they were so very very sweet and always brightened anyones day. If only for the duration of a visit. and for a pair so very young they behaved whenever they came to visit Uncle Raph. Mikey was more likely to annoy the red clad part robotic turtle then they were.


He let himself in at the call and made no effort to hide his approach, and dumped himself beside Raph on the bed, so close their shells clacked and he spared a small grin, not reaching to touch the incubator without some sort of consent from the dad to be... He'd learned during Erica's pregnancies that his big brothers were fiercely territorial over their pregnant mates and eggs and babies... Instead he simply one arm hugged Raph - everyone could use a Mikey hug!


And of course Mikey comfort churrs. - not breaking into his brothers isolation like a whirlwind as was his usual nature... more of creeping in like the old days when he had been young and just needed a snug. This time it was Raph who needed it. Keeping quiet letting his brother break the quiet if and when he wished.

Donatello's work was always several projects at once, his head full of this theory and that job and some thought jostling for prominence. Snout in papers, lists of some materials that would need to be scavenged if he was to make wind turbines for more power. They had solar, if he could compliment that with wind or even hydro maybe.


A silent sigh watching Mikey bounce up the side of the farming building to the top. but Raph had a special buzzer to gain, his, Aprils or Lilo and Stitch's attentions at once should anything look like it was happening with the egg.


Still he who have followed his orange wearing brother... but he had a blue wearing one to track down first and hand in his requirements for improvements to their current home. Also some ideas of where to begin looking for a secondary base should there ever be a need to leave here.


He'd reached the Great Hall, very Hogwarts of Mikey, and just out of the peripheral edge of his vision caught sight of the small hybrids crouching... and a flash of modified plastic toy. Ahhhh so that's where his pea shooter went. All his stash of coffee grounds betting Mikey pinched it and gave it to the niece and nephew. It was hard for any of them to not dot on these little blue eyed beauties. Especially given that Mikey had no doubt been teaching the two how to do a very good puppy eyed pout. -


Well his job was important and he should get these to Leo... but if he was fired upon there was no way he was not gonna go down for the delight of the munchkins.


Needless to say Donnie was unashamedly wrapped about their little fingers. And he wasn't alone he knew.

Shen's little tail went up - her back side waggled and she makes a widdle growl pouncing! "BOO!" she sported a speckled green and beige gold shell on her back, it vaguely resembled a leatherback turtles - not that she knew what that was...

Right now though it took on a different shape, as she leaps out to be the distraction her shell unfurls, into almost mouth or butterfly shape sections of schutes and thin leathery speckled skin stretched between them.



His own shell remaining firmly furled though his unfurled into a different shape, Yoshi leaps out and as he had seen Mikey do -


PPPPPPPHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTBTBTBTBTBT!!


blew the biggest raspberry he could to send the small spit ball projectile at their unsuspecting uncle Don!

If he hadn't had a brilliant stage performance to do Donnie would have laughed. Mikey clearly had influence on the raspberry part of spit balling. Giving a huge fake gasp of "Oh Myyyy?!" and letting his papers dance to the floor from his oh so shocked grasp Donnie stumbles - staggers and gets in the too wide spit balls way -it splats against his shin.


"Oh noooo critical hit! may day may day ! turtle down... turtle dooown!" in a melodramatic clatter of a of chairs and tumble style worthy of Mikey the drama king himself!


And on the floor now Donnie waits for them.


Taking in the eager little faces. No one had known Erica had been pregnant, in hindsight the smallish bump and her scent should have clued them in... No one knew the first morning Erica took their brother into her bed she'd asked for children... that she wanted Leo's children, that they had been actively trying. And she'd hardly looked rounded when four months after fleeing the wreck of the Mall and barely just after having won this place and with a scared new community Leo had come to him and Lilo in the dawn stressed out of his mind that Erica was miscarrying.


And Donnie and Lilo and a curious April had all guessed so to, though that quickly changed when they examined her and determined she was in fact in the stages of laborious egg laying, like monotremes, managing to lay a vaguely oblong, large foot ball sized egg. This was why they had an incubator for Raph to use, Yoshi had hatched two months later. Six months all up.

And Shen was as much a surprise, again Leo and Erica had not told anyone they were expecting, and again Erica had barely had a pudgy belly and again missing the smell signals. But one morning Leo came to the communal breakfast with a new smaller egg in his arms. Three months Erica had been pregnant, and Shen hatched after three months incubation. Unlike Raph's their shells had been intact and they were able to be handled for brief moments with Leo and Erica both breathing down your neck.


Donatello wondered with amusement if there was going to be more little hybrids from Erica and Leo, and considering how sexually active they were he was shocked there was not more already. Yoshi was three when his sister hatched. And whether or not Raph's one would need milk like those two had plagued Don's mind. Infact he knew Shen at two and a half years was just barely beginning to self wean. Well at least it meant Erica had milk to spare. Some had already been stored and Lilo had a small list of different types of teats for bottles just encase Raph's needed special ones... or maybe it would refuse and only drink straight from the source? not that he thought Erica would refuse, despite some tension between herself and Venus she had always been sweet to the turtle girl... mmmm could be being a full mutant turtle off spring, it may not need milk at all...


It gave the nerdy turtle a thrill to think about it and a bit of a head ache... though he shoved such thoughts aside to focus on playing with his nephew and niece.

"hehehe - hehehehe!" A giggling Shen danced excitedly under the fluttering papers - gathering them up and scrunching them in her arms and scurrying to Don and Yoshi crouching by their very tall uncles head and shoulder her little grinning face hovering right over his her shell furled again, "oooowwwwies?" she asks of him.


"we dot you Unel Don!" Crows the little turtle with his shock of shocking blond hair racing forward to jump onto his uncle's plastron, grinning down at him. " wass we like nin na?! Like Daddy?!" he asks eagerly. Spitballer in his hand.


Both their tails wagged. Yoshi's lightly tapping on Don's plastron.

A laugh and lightly ruffling the blond mo hawk Don sat up, using that hand sliding down Yoshi's shell to sit the boy in his lap. the other catching Shen and pulling the little girl into his lap too with her brother nuzzling the two - "no precious one no owies, and yes great planning lilninja just like your dad." he answers both of them smiling and chuckling.


Life was hard, they had enemies and there was the possibility of having to flee again... but these moments helped it seem less so.


Unlike Mikey and Raph he was not jealous about Leo having Erica, or the lilones he had actively not sort out Venus or Lilo as anything more than a good friend, a small part of her being into Leo first then Raph... but mostly because... well.. He and Casey and April were all three, in love.



And he was as content with that as they were- though with the two beautiful hybrids in his lap he seriously considered bringing up with his mates the idea of adopting if there were to be parentless children.



Seeing his papers in Shen's arms he grins, "those are for your father when we see him alright?" he says chuckling and preparing to stand, barely noting a few awwwwws and nawwwwws from passing community members. "We should find him and then all go spend time with Uncle Raph and cousin - what do yous say?" he rocks and uses the momentum to launch himself to his feet cradling the two children safely to his plastron. Leo and Splinter about this time would be finishing up training of the young community members, older ones later in the evening. Leo refused to make the same mistake as Bruce and let people not prepare themselves for the worst possibilities of this world they lived in. So the mornings their 'Lion King' as the community members had a habit of calling Leo (probably cause of that roar) would be with their father focusing on teaching self defence to their young people.


Time to see if they were done.

A slight grunt of annoyance as shells clinged, that tingly feeling was always something that Raph was not fond of, but annoyance melted at the one armed hug, and the soft churrs of his youngest brother, soothing.

The silence stretched on as Raph's gaze continued on the incubator, heart skipping a beat every time his child bumped the inside of the egg. It wouldn't be long, and while excited... a part of his mate would live on in their child...he was scared. Could he do this alone?

....He had no choice.... and his father had raised four...FOUR...all by himself...

"How's everyone?" He asked, both curious and trying to distract his mind....

Smiling, Mikey nuzzles Raph's shoulder and nips the scarred tatt there playfully, "Probably heading this way for shared lunch with yours truly..." and pretending to recall, though with an entirely playful grin, "Oh and you too bro..."



And he could literally see what was on Raph's mind... it was all over his face ! and so rocks against him lightly, making their shells scrap again. Only briefly. "Your not going to be alone Raph. Single dad sure... not alone." churring, comforting his brother and smiling watching the movements of the egg. "Dad.... Leo and Erica.... you have their experience... and natural talent" pointing at himself with all the smugness he could playfully pull off. "and Lilo and April and Don and Casey..." a wink.


He wasn't going to let Raph ever think he was alone. Their brotherhood was ever more protective and close after the incident of Bruce.


Mikey loved it.


And then more generally speaking, "We'll survive the winter as far as food goes, Hope your not yet sick of goat. Or chicken. Lilo, Stitch and Erica are ranging but will be back." He had no doubt those two girls and alien would find their way back at so much of a hint of the egg hatching. Lilo was as invested as they were to ensuring survival. And Erica... might have to be wet nurse. If she had to be, on that note, " She left a hefty amount of milk so we should be covered... either way." nodding to the egg.

Master Splinter: "Enough!" Splinter's voice cracked across the training field. Or what used to be a beautifully kept botanical garden attached to an oval and playing field. Splinter had the children, grouped randomly in varying ages, according to their skill levels. Of course the training he began with them was not as advanced as that he put his sons through at any of these childrens’ ages. But it might give each and every one of them a small edge if they had to flee this place. He hoped not. He rather liked their new home. The more advanced children stopped their katas, the middling their obstacle course and the learners their stretches. The rat smiled looking at them all, they were few.
Having and keeping children in this world was dangerous...

"You have all done well today - go, clean, breakfast late and report to your schooling please." his tail curling as he bows to his students watching them run off excitedly. A smile moving towards the oval and football field to watch Leo finish up with the older children, the teenagers. Watching. The past six years had been... transformative for the Hamato Clan... now they had a community to care for... feed... protect... And a new generation.
His eldest son taking the role as leader as seriously as he always did... and fatherhood even more so. He felt a pang for his second son... there was a difficult time ahead for him. He shakes his fur. It was growing thicker. Winter was coming! He watches these young people. Amused a little a lot of the communities humans... who would have once been terrified or disgusted by his turtle sons... were in deep awe of them... and it was noticeable easily on the young peoples faces here... especially so with Leo.


Leonardo: "Great job, everyone. That's enough for today," Leo told his group as the training session ended. He was quite impressed how seriously his students (at least most of them) took their training sessions. In some ways, they were a lot easier to deal with than his own brothers. Which was good, because Leo had been under a lot of stress lately.

After Raph had lost the love of his life and most of his children, Leo noticed a drastic change in his brother. As much as Leo wanted to help him, he knew there wasn't much he could say. It made him sick to think what he would do if he lost Erica or either of his children. He felt for Raph - he really did. But Leo also knew Raph needed his space and he was giving him that. When Raph was ready, he would open up to him.

It still bothered Leo that he had to sit on the sidelines, but Raph had always been temperamental and after recent events, it made him even more so. On the positive side of things, he and Erica were closer than ever, and Leo was excelling at his role as a parent. Of course he asked Master Splinter lots of questions when he needed some advice, but he gradually got the hang of it. And now, with the children he was training, it gave him even more experience with kids. And these kids adored him. Not that Leo was trying to let that go to his head, though!


Master Splinter:Splinter hid a quiet chuckle as the youths, like his varying in age and skill ranges line up to be dismissed, in the usual haphazard way young excitable full of energy people had. And when they were there was choruses of "thanks LionKing!" and the usual bounce and jostle of a group of youths. Youths forced to grow up far to quickly in this world.

But sadly it was needed. He smiles sliding up beside Leo as the group ran off. "They look like they are coming along." He says. Looking up at Leo. Splinter was proud of Leo, no secret, he had faced temptation from Venus and stayed true to his wife. And the two were closer than he'd ever seen them. He knew times like this when Erica was away ranging outside their safe walls was always a time of worry for his son. Even more so with Raphael's recent loss. " my younglings are advancing. a couple might be ready to move to your training soon." He loved being a grandfather, he loved having these extra students... he felt... purposeful.

Voice gladdened with amusement as he knew the title given to Leo by most of their human, mutant and all sorts sort of people made him flustered sometimes.


Leonardo: Leo thought the nickname was cute the kids gave him and he smiled, bowing to the group. "You're welcome. See you tomorrow."

Then he turned to look at his father and grinned. "They are, Sensei. I hope my own children are as easy as these kids are." He shook his head in amusement. "Wishful thinking, huh?" Well, it was a nice dream at least. It was especially questionable considering who one of their uncles was.[/size]

Master Splinter: Chuckling Splinter's ears perked up at the mere thought of his very healthy two grand children. " Considering your son and daughter adore you more than even your fan club I think you will have a blast with them."


As Leo always did with his children. But there was some truth to the wistfulness. As Leo's children were quiet unusual. They were in no rush to follow the kids but Splinter motions for them to set off. " Speaking of those little ones are probably keen to see you -" they always were, and twice as much when their mother was absent. And vice versa when Leo had to leave. " you thought of how we might begin helping them to use their... wings?" how his son and his pretty little... well she wasn't quiet human anymore... managed to produce two very different hybrids with different wings was beyond Splinter, but he adored them. A softer grin, " Heard from their mother yet? she should have reached the mall grounds by now."


Leonardo: Leo couldn't help but grin proudly at the mention of his children. [size=#16]"I know I will. I mean, you trained us. Even...Mikey."[/size] He shrugged briefly. "I'm sure I'm up for the challenge, Master Splinter." And he was. Actually, he couldn't wait to start training them. It wouldn't be much longer now for Yoshi. "Not exactly. But something will come to me when it's time - I know it." At the mention of Erica, Leo shook his head.

"I haven't heard anything yet." He had yet to check his phone since he didn't keep it on him during training. He glanced over at his phone and picked it up to see if he had any missed messages. "Nothing yet." Leo wasn't exactly worried, but he did miss her.


Master Splinter: A was chuckling again his whiskers fluttering, "Oh you definitely are my son, remember on the road after leaving the Mall you fretted you would not be up to leading these people... or those whose leader you deposed... but you have been." the youths and children where not the only ones to reverently call Leo 'LionKing' in the same tone one might say my lord or mr president.

It was hard earned but on the whole most of the community were content to be lead. " and I recall when you used to hover over Yoshi's egg and later Shen's like Raph is his own... fretting about the upcoming fatherhood - you have found yourself suited to it as well." He was proud feeling again. Leo was all those. He smiles encouragingly at Leo. "Well you have your sense of her-" as he had taught all those years ago in the Mall the first time Leo and Erica had been separated after finding each other.

"You will sense if something is wrong." Unlike Venus Erica was a fierce survivor, on her own or not. And... well she was a lot stronger, faster than normal human women. " did the little ones sleep with you?" they often crawled into their parents bed. Especially it seemed when one was away. "We should leave the community breakfast and lunch and spend the day until the evening classes with your brother Raphael." he adds tone a bit sad here.


Leonardo: Leo remembered. It didn't help that he had to really work to get these people to trust him after the way most of the heroes looked down on him. Maybe he was younger than most of them, but he had far more experience in leading that they did. After all, he and his brothers had saved the entire world a time or two. That was no easy feat. "They did. They almost didn't want me to leave them with my brother this morning." He smiled in mild amusement again.

It was times like these when it was both a blessing and a curse to be a father. Leo trusted his brothers to look after Shen and Yoshi and keep them safe. So far, no incidents yet. But Leo was still very protective of his children and wouldn't leave them with just anyone. Sometimes he questioned leaving them with his youngest brother, though. Mikey had a knack for getting into mischief. When Splinter said they should go spend some time with Raph, Leo nodded. "Yeah, we probably should," he agreed with a heavy sigh. He sure wished he could do something to help him. But once Raph's egg hatched, Leo had a feeling things would improve for Raph. Probably not everything, but at least better. After all, Raph was worried the egg wouldn't even hatch, even though Don and Lilo assured him it would.

Master Splinter: He was so proud he was beginning to feel his rat tail might suddenly erupt into a mass of peacock feather.... bronzed ones with fluffy silver tufts like his fur. He nods, "You rose above the uncertainty... with help from said brothers... With Donatello?" he half guesses which brother the grandchildren had been left with. There was no lack of baby sitters. April and Casey fell over themselves to watch the two, and Mikey loved having little playmates though he was no longer a child himself. He hears the heavy sigh and nods, " I know you wish to help Raphael in this time... but we can only be there for him show him we are all supporting him through this." As they walked bowing slightly and greeting back the odd busy worker or member hurrying off to breakfast. "Maybe the egg will hatch today... are you and Erica going to tell us this time if yous have more?" amusement back in his tone as Leo and Erica had ever always been so secretive about her pregnancies... though now in hindsight Leo's extra protectiveness should be a dead give away.


YoshiShen: Giggling at Don's nuzzling and puffing his plastron out in pride Yoshi hangs onto the straps of things uncle don had on his person. Tugging on the antenna that wobbled about and always caught his attention.

"Weeeeeeeee ehehehe!" Shen squealed. Both now in Don's arms, beside her brother Shen nodded holding tight to the scrunched up papers.

Yoshi was less content to stay still in Don's grip reaching for all the cool gadgets and things on his uncles person... " and swin?!" he asks eagerly. See dad, uncle... cousin egg and swim! Their top floor living had a pool... and true to turtle nature both Yoshi and Shen loved swimming.


Leonardo: Leo chuckled lightly.

"Well...Erica and I aren't planning on having any more children." Two was enough for him. And these two would be even harder to handle once they got older. Leo wasn't ready to think that far ahead, though. He wanted them to stay little like this for as long as possible. He walked with his father, chatting quietly on the way to Raph's room. He knew the feeling of tenseness would increase the closer he got to his brother. He sure hoped the egg would hatch soon.


Donatello: A chuckle and Don nods a little, "Yes swimming will be had. Lots of it." amused by the eagerness... all his most important gadgetry over the last couple of years had moved to bo staff and his belt away from the little ones eager searching fingers, now anything in reach was fun... it would make noise... or squirt out silly putty for the kids to play with. The slime would make silly fart sounds. And he spied through the small crowds of their community Leo and Splinter... "hey guys... loook..." he nuzzles the kids to draw their attention to their father, to their grandfather. It looked like both had the same though he had, and that Mikey had... go join Raph.

Master Splinter: A grin and Splinter waggles an ear, "Well I don't know your mate loves being a mother." There was no denying that, everyone could see it. She adored Leo, adore being married and adored being a mother.
"Still perhaps not for a while yes?... just encase..." Donatello had fretted about the egg hatching... and what that one may need as far as nutrition so young. Another pregnancy could sour her milk. He sensed the tension and reached up to pat Leo's wrist, "Do try to be relaxed. The more you are the more Raph and your brothers would be too..." they were all much closer as a family.


YoshiShen: "gooood I lise swinning… swinning and be shark du dud duduu!" Yoshi had just found said squeezy that let out the green slime and squealed in delight a hole heap of goop in his hands and as he had squeezed it and - the slime made a gross fart sound he looks where Donnie drew his attention and eeeps excitedly goopy hand going up in the air “Daaad!" his shell clacked a little in his excitement - not opening but settling tighter against him.

Shen flutters her own she'd found that nice chewy ring bit on Uncle don and was chewing so her muffled sing along with her brothers shark do dooo dood dooo and equally happy call out was muffled. But she waved too.


Leonardo: Leo smiled a little again, nodding. "Definitely won't be for a while." Then he sighed. "I still wish there was something I could've done to prevent this. To protect her."[/color] Leo could handle Raph's anger, but his sadness was much more difficult. Leo was pulled out of his current thoughts at the sight of his little one and waved back to them. [size=16]"Hey, guys. Are you behaving for Uncle Donnie?" The sight of the kids always warmed Leo's heart and made any negative feelings go away. He loved being a father so much.


Master Splinter: Splinter smiled hearing his grandkid... well both but one was very very muffled and as Donnie closed in on them he could see why. "A while is good, let them grow a little so they can help with more..." a bit of a grin and nod, "So do I, but we cannot concern ourselves with what was, and our wishes to change it, but what is." he says sagely looking up at his tallest leanest still son and the grandkids currently in his arms. Donnie's techie shell was more of a play pen where they could reach and he grins. " better have been or no swimming." he adds playfully. pride growing so watching his family he had to glance at his tail to make sure it was not feathery.

Don:[/color] Chuckling and closing the distance Don's eyes caught their fathers proud face and Leo's one relaxing, of course the little ones had this effect on them all. He laughs, [size=16]"Well behaving yes.... Mikey has been teaching them to pea shoot.” he informs, in fact he still had the spot of paper spit on his shin. So amused, " Though I think this means Yoshi is ready for training." The boy definitely had a mind for strategy even so very young. He nuzzles the head with its tuft of sticking up blond hair...


YoshiShen: "uuuh haaaaah so goood - muth goood." his eyes widening and so blue - very blue the mohawk of his blond hair a little ruffled from Uncle Don, hearing the last words he squeezes the goop eagerly again and nods fervently. "Oh yes yes yes me reddy! sooo redy!" little tail waggling.

Shen meanwhile still had the ring in her mouth and made happy muffled sounds holding up her arms with those papers with Uncle don's writing all over it. She dropped the ring her wings settling back into the shell, "choooo!" excitedly looking for a kissy and making the kissy face using the Japanese word.

Leonardo: Leo grinned at his son and held his arms out to take him from Don. "Glad you think so, Yoshi." Then after the boy was settled in his arms he reached a hand out to Shen, this time only taking her hand and then leaning forward to give the little girl a kiss to her cheek. Then he turned to Yoshi once again. "We'll definitely be starting your training within the next couple weeks, okay? Not much longer." He gave the boy a nuzzle and then looked at Donnie. "Thanks for watching them, Donnie."[bi]


Donatello: Don Relinquishing the little boy with a chuckle - cause the child practically bounced out of his hold when Leo held out his arms, eager to be in them and it was cute! A grin and squeezes the small girl very careful once she got her requested kiss and shifted her in his arms, [b]" Your welcome, and as if I, April or Casey would turn away these cute faces..." He churrs nuzzling the small girl. Yes of course Leo arrived at his usual way to early hour for him or Casey but April had been half awake between them and eagerly pulled the sleeping little ones from Leo's arms into the large bed among the three of them to sleep the last couple of hours. Leo was as always more of an early turtle.

" I'd say its a good idea - the boy actually set up an ambush."


[color=#8b4513]Splinty:[color] " Yes... in the next couple of weeks indeed..." Splinter's raised tale tip tickles at Shen's nose. "Where are your two this morning? still doing rounds?" he asks Donatello, it had been rather amusing to him about the relationship April, Casey and Donatello formed over the last few years... Then Donnie made to explain and he raises a furry eyebrow gesturing for them to start on their way, they could go into the great hall and ascend the stairs ooorrrr once they reach the building simply climb up the side.


Squidlings: Yoshi still held his goop and once in Leo's arms he had puffed out his plastron a bit his wings clacking a bit as thew wings unfolded then folded back up one hand holding onto Leo's plastron edge, "Meee tooo I wanna kick and punch and be able to jummmp soooo hiiiiiiigh!" both hands rising to demonstrate just how high...

Shen giggles and squeeeeees happily, placing her own smooch to her father's cheek in the usual little kid slightly drooly way and she grins the papers squished back to her body as Don shifts her against him freeing one hand to reach up and press on one of the buttons on Don's strap and giggling at mooing sound it made - watching Don and Splinter speak waving her hand at that playing tail tip.


Leonardo: Leo chuckled and looked at the small boy. "You did, huh?" Then he looked at Donnie. "I'd love to hear the details of this story, Don." Catching Splinter's cue to take the conversation inside, he began walking slowly, waiting for his brother and father to catch up.


Splinty:[/size] " yes please details, and wheres ya lovers..." again the question and eager for story, naaawing a little and his tail pushing one of the sound buttons for his granddaughter. watching Yoshi's shell wings... still amazed about those even if they had known about them since hatching.


Don: Chuckling at the pleasure the little girl got in playing with the sounds, nodding at Splinter deciding to answer him first before launching into the tiny tale of mischief "I assume they are checking on their rounds, I did mine, and they probably will join us upstairs after lunch with the community - I mean we all miss Venus and feel her loss and want to be as close to Raph in his grief as he'll allow." Don grins at Leo, [b]"Well I was returning from my rounds, noting Casey and April has left the great hall, and catching sight of our brother in orange scaling the building, so I came back here to collect these two who had no doubt had breakfast with said naughty brother who took my pea shooter and my loves... I was barely two feet in the door when this little lady surprises me with a might Boo! wings out and all..." he begins chuckling more as they begin the long ascent up to the pool floor... it might have once been a private gym - but when they got here and took over the turtles dismantled the two floors above it and did renos on the separate rooms there, and built a could of extra for their own, re-sculpting the floor as an open garden on the roof all designed around the pool and grown grass for basking on! he was drawing the small tale out on purpose. It was a good on and he was proud of his over acting.


Squidlings: "Yes oooh yes Daddy I did!" Yoshi was sooo proud looking, cuddling into his fathers arms resting excitedly against plastron and happily rolling his goop into a ball that made a gross sound as he squeezes it. He heard Aunty Aprils name and then Uncle Casey's and giggles at Uncle Mikey's description, "Unel Mikey showed me how to shoot." he announces pointing at the pea shooter Uncle Donnie had reclaimed.

More giggling at the chicken sounds this button made then Shen nods and looks eagerly as Leo, "wike dis!" she unfurls her shell into the wings and arms go out, she couldn't spread feet out as much with the way she was seated on one of Donatello's arms but she mimics her earlier boo enthusiastically, [size=#16]"Boo!"


Leonardo: Leo laughed at the tale grinning at Yoshi and then at Shen. "That would scare me too, Shen. Great job!" Then he smirked at Don. "Sounds like you had your hands full with these two...and Mikey." He chuckled in amusement and then grinned at Yoshi. [b][size=16]"You'll have to show me how to shoot one of those now." Of course he knew how, but this was an opportunity for the teacher to become the student. So why not?


Don: A laugh and shake of his head, "Well thats not the end of the story of course, I was so started I dropped all those papers with the my numbers and a proposal I wanted to bring before you and small council... annnnd...." he grins leaning forward to Yoshi a bit, holding Shen securely even with her wings open, it was still startling to see those and Donnie was so far... unsure where exactly they may have come from... of course could be just random on the mutation part. Inviting Yoshi to fill Leo in on this exciting bit. Winking at Splinter.


Squidlings: Shen giggles and her wings stayed open looking wide eyed at her fathers admission, "welly welly sweared?" she wonders in mischievous delight, a mischievous twing Uncle Mikey definitely trained into them from the moment both could crawl...

Yoshi was listening and giggled too "Oh yes yes den as I thinked I jump out annn like Unel Mikey shooows me - ppphhhbbt" he recounts eagerly, though less raspberry this time. "And got Uncle Donnie!" he had no idea of course Uncle Don had stepped into the path of the spit ball - "annnd he wennns doooown!" he cheers - adding quickly, "We make sure no owies..." cause Dad and Grandpa always told them as ninjas do no harm! His dads request making him gap, "meeee shooowws you?!-" a yay and he hugs the shoulder of the arm he was on, "Oooh yes me shoows me shooows..." wings had to hang open as he was puffing his plastron out so very proudly.


[color=#8b4513]Splinty: Laughing quietly Splinter gave an unseen roll of his eyes, of course Michelangelo would show the child that raspberries were involved, hah hah. Nodding and rubbing his chin fur in a hummmming mock serious way, [size=16]"Maybe we should begin the young ninja's training next week for sure," The boy clearly had some of his fathers ability to plan. "It's like that time your father about your age step up a cookie raid on the jar kept on top of the fridge." he grins memories of a time ago with small sons.


[I]Don: "Successful cookie raid by the way." a tad smug.


Leonardo: Leo kept grinning, nodding to his little girl. "Yeah, I believe so." He was so amused with this story and then he laughed at Yoshi's form of attack. "Yes, Yoshi. I'd like you to show me sometime." He chuckled again and shook his head in amusement. They'll both make fine ninjas one day. Then he grinned at his father. "I think you're right, Sensei. They are nearly ready." Even Shen, but he would wait a bit with her. Except for maybe a small lesson here or there if she really wanted it. Leo laughed again at the memory.

"Yes, it was very successful." He grinned proudly at his brother. "We made a great team, even back then."


Splinty: He laughed, "Yous sure did, a bit of Michelangelo drama to distract me, and whilst patching this skinned knee you three got a chair, Raphael held it in place whilst Donatello climbed onto it with Leonardo who then climbed onto the bench to reach the fridge and lift the jar down to Donnie who hops onto the floor, followed by Leonardo who joined Raphael once all returned to the floor put the chair back. I only found out because I went looking for cookies and eventually found the jar hidden under your sleeping cushions." He chuckles - one of his favourite moments of realising his sons were more than ready for training.


Donatello: His own laughter and churrs mingled, nuzzling Shen's head, "We actually got away with that one up until the jar was found. Not bad for a bunch of just five year olds, though of course Leo's right we make a heck of a team when we work together." He lightly tickled Shen's little belly marvelling that she had no plastron unlike her brother.

" And knowing Uncle Mikey he's plotting ways to make sure you, Yoshi and your cousin will be planning many little raids like that one..." yes Mikey had already warned he planned on corrupting Raph's kid too. The guy was still a huge kid at heart himself, though more mature than he used to be... a little bit more so.


Squidlings: Yoshi beamed and nuzzled his dads shoulder, "Otaaaay me shooows you... cross heart... afer we sees Unel Raffie?" he couldn't understand his Uncle's pain and grief, but he did understand that their big and sometimes a little scary Uncle was sad, very sad, because Aunty Venus was no longer around. Yoshi did miss her too, he had his few memories, and recalled asking his parents if he wrote a note to the 'toof' fairy she might bring his Aunty Venus back instead of the sweet honey comb left under his pillow in exchange for his first tooth. Maybe it was his young new to any written word handwriting. But it had not worked and the Tooth Fairy had left a note explaining she wished so very badly she could have but her magic didn't work like that, but she left extra honey comb to share with very sad Uncle Raph. He had no idea the letter back was April's doing.

Her little pleased giggle was so very very delighted, and she imagines having so many coookies !! so maaaannny! clapping at Grandpas story, she had less memories of Aunty Venus. And like Yoshi was too young to really grasp the hurt their Uncle was in, but too knew sad... "yesth unel rafi choo? and hug?... den sssswiiiiins?..." To Daddy putting up a widdle finger with each task. Weeell maybe an extra finger on the hugs part...

Yoshi nods, "swiiins? afer.... oooooh we tell Egg we got Unel Don... oooh mus mus mus..." nods yep must tell the egg cousin the entire story! oh yeah!

There was a hint of a grin, hearing Mikey assure him that he would not be alone in this new journey in his life. He knew that his family and friends would have him, and help out with his little son or daughter whenever he needed it...


"I know, Mikey... I know.." His tone unusually soft and returning the nuzzle to his brother's temple. A rare, tender moment, and it was clear that today was definitely one of those days that he needed his family here with him...


And he know.... his life was about to change. The was the little one was moving around in that egg, it would be shocking if it did not hatch today. A million emotions flooded him, and beyond everything he was scared... this was out of his element. Sure, he loved his niece and nephew to pieces, but this was his and while he knew there would be help.. he was going to be a daddy..


"I just wish.. it could be 'normal'.. you know? What Erica and Leo have..." But the fates had decided against that, and deep down, he knew... it could have been worse.. he could have lost his entire clutch along with Venus. At least they had been able to salvage something from the heartache....

Mikey always soaked up tenderness. He was an affectionate in nature turtle and was more than happy to share his pleasure in the closeness with his brother by churring all the more and moving so he could add extra arm to his hug.


Giving the big usually not so touchy feely brother the bear hug he Mikey was famous for. "And don't you forget it bro - I saw Donnie catching a look up at me when I came here, he will be one his way, Leo and Dad too, April and Casey not far behind you know we want to be around you all the time right now.." Not to crowd Raph and disturb him... each just wanted to commiserate with him and wait as impatiently as he did for the hatching. They were all there for Yoshi when he hatched, and for Shen after that... oooh Mikey would never forget those days. Hatching was as varied as giving birth it turned out Yoshi had moved and moved and moved about in his eggs for hours and hours, it leaked and cracked and after time sort of exploded as the little turtle hybrid within freed himself. Shen had taken a full day to emerge, with a tiny snout poking out first and the rest over time. Unlike human babies at least Yoshi and Shen had some ability to move and enough strength to hold their own heads. They'd chirped and churred and Leo and Erica had been right there to greet each at birth, and of course each had soon sought out their mothers milk bar. They all intended to be there for Raph and his.


A laugh burst from him and he eyes Raphael sideways with a grin, "HAH what about Erica and Leo is normal? Their mutating each other slowly and it all begun six years ago cause a girl originally planned to simply seduce Leo for baby gravey." It amused Mikey to no end this story, they all knew it, Mikey had gone with Casey and Raph all those years ago to confront the bossy little blond about her interest in their brother and she had been very honest about her initial intentions. And that somehow all that time ago Leo managed to woo the her in the span of a morning. " And now our brother is viewed as a king among these people and their children have wings.... wings! And Donnie is in a happy three way with April and Casey - who saw that coming?" he chuckles and squeezes Raph again, more nuzzling " sadly bro I don't think this kinda time we live in we can have normal...but we... have each other and memories... and... and... at least we're not monsters to some people so if...one day... you want to … try again... it's possible" He offers sadly wishing he could reassure Raph it could be better and normal and … and... but he didn't wanna seem like he was trying to dismiss any pain as in their own ways all of the very tight nit Hamato Clan missed Venus and felt her loss, the loss of the potential little ones... and felt for Raph. But he also wanted to give Raph some hope for his child and love and the family.

Leonardo: The conversation started so light hearted with laughter, but at the mention of his brother Raph, that all changed. The little ones couldn't possibly understand what was really going on with their red-masked uncle. His loss affected everyone to some degree.

Leo smiled; a little sadly. "Yes, we will go visit Uncle Raph. But only for a few minutes, okay?" Then the smile was more joyous again. "And then we will go swimming." He gave the boy in his arms a quick nuzzle then looked at his brother and father. "Did you two want to come, too? I'm sure Yoshi and Shen want to show you how good they can swim." Of course Shen needed a little assistance.

But she enjoyed it as much as her brother did.



Splinter: He was touched, " Yes, show uncle Raph yous love him and your cousin... then much swimming." He agrees. They all wanted to be close, but also give Raph his space with his egg and soon hatchling. And the two small ones of Leo's both already treated the egg like it had always been. it was adorable they accepted their not even hatched cousin so easily. So readily. So eagerly. "Of course I will, I do enjoy a good swim." In this world their rooftop hideaway was a virtually paradise. He loved being up there. They passed the farm workers bustling about, many stopping to greet Leo as 'Lionking' and bow to all of them.


Don: Don's good mood remained, he felt the usual twinge of sadness speaking about Raph and the loss - but a warmth, Yoshi had tried. A fruitless effort but he tried for uncle Raph. It was a very Leo thing to have done, to try so even if it didn't always succeed. And even for a brief moment perhaps it had warmed Raph's heart a little. He gently rocks Shen, amused as ever by the community peoples and their reverence to his elder brother. He nods at Leo's question.

"Sure I'll come and swim." He looks at his t phone and smiles, "Lilo has placed another tower extender up our tphones will reach further now." annnd, " Casey and April say they will see the community for lunch and bring up paperwork for you Leo with lunch for us all." he informs his father and brother sending back kissy faces to his mates.

Text to Leo from Erica: wrote:

**Reached the tree houses safely, giving Judith her gift, will call later. Much love to family and our babies. I love you Leo, home asap.**

YoshiShen: Yoshi nods, as seriously as a little boy could when the prospect of swimming was dangling in front of him! "Otay daddy ... can I tells cosin Egg story?" he asks, then thinks and adds, "if Raphie says sooo?" lifting his snout and eagerly nuzzling his fathers neck and shoulder his little tail wagging and shell clicking a little as he lets it unfurl the almost batlike wings stretching all the way out on both sides, it was more and more common for both he and his sister to do this lately, open and close and stretch.

Shen nods fervently, her own wings fluttering a little against Don's arm, and her tail flopping about excitedly, not as long as Yoshi's tail, "me sins ooood!" - or at least she thought so!


Leonardo: Even with his new title, Leo tried to remain humble. It wasn't always easy since this was one of his biggest accomplishments as a leader. He waved to the farm workers with a warm smile as he passed them, giving some of them a head-bow back. Then he turned his attention to his brother when Don gave him a few updates.

"Good." He nodded slowly. "Sounds great." Right now, leading seemed easier than visiting his brooding brother. Leo still wished he could have done something to save Raph this heartache.


Don: A bit of a cheeky smirk, "i'm very happy to hand all my paper work in too - Shen here has been taking such good care of it." And he nuzzles her, smiling at the way Yoshi was nuzzling his father, it was cute. Don watched the little hybrid wings open, still so amazed by that. Shen's moving on him and he brushes the thin membrane between her usually shell scutes very gently nodding, "I know you are a good swimmer... need a little more practice but a good swimmer." he winks, but she was still young and still needed help.


Splinter: "I told you, lead as you would want to be lead, and by example and people will respond... they will find you approachable and will give their trust." He says so softly to Leo pride in his tone. It was a far cry to the dismissive way Bruce had dealt with them and his mall inhabitants. Or the dictatorship way Bishop had over this community before the take down and over. And people living in this horrible fearful sort of world needed it.

A chuckle at his eager grandbabies, "Yes ask Uncle Raph first - always a good idea." he like Donnie felt the urge to stroke the wings as Yoshi opened his, it was still so odd for him to watch Yoshi's shell open out like that.


YoshiShen: He shivers a little at the touch, and giggles flapping the appendage - nodding though, "Otay me asks" he promises shifting about in Leo's hold so her could rest his head on Leo's shoulder - not tired just enjoying pressing as much of himself to his dad and snuggling, hands curling on plastron, little churrs in his throat.

Giggling and squirming a bit Shen wiggled in Don's arms - and uncle Don reminded her of the papers she still clutched, she looks down at them and takes them in both arms, trusting Uncle Don entirely to keep her in place whilst she shows off to her Dad that yep she had them all right - a little scrunched from her efforts but she had em!


Leonardo: Leo smiled at his father. "I understand, Master Splinter." He knew Splinter was also proud of him and it showed in his voice. It also inflated Leo's ego a little bit, but he tamped it down as he was just doing his duty. But he was damned good at this job! Ahem...at least tried to put the well-being of the community ahead of his own desires. But really, Leo had no reason to complain. He had just about everything he could ever want. That included a loving family of his own.

Leo grinned at Shen. "You are, huh? Let me see?" he asked, reaching out then gently took the papers from her. "Thank you, my little princess." Then he leaned over and smooched Shen's cheek.


Splinter: A chuckle, he winked at Leo and knew it must be hard when there was clear adulation to be modest and remain humble and was glad Leo tried his best to, and for most the part succeeded in it. They were nearing the top floor, past the last floors where the plants that needed the most sunlight were, the first had the live stock, goats and chickens were easier to keep in these conditions than others. Then the plants that were both edible and burnable and useful other ways... hemp and bamboo for clothing and paper. The higher floors with potatoes and melons and pumpkins and berries ...

To their top floor with it's spread out individual rooms, his and Leo's family room set more east ward facing the early sun cause they were both early rises, Michelangelo's in the middle and down the other end the rooms Raphael refurbished and those Donatello and his mates worked on to have together. He took a deep relieved breath, it was beautiful up here, a sprawling garden, He could hear bees humming, and the pool. They would slowly turn towards Raph's quarters.


Don: "Indeed thanks princess, those are very important papers for your dad." Maybe hinting at his eldest brother he had a few ideas and proposal on them to run by him, but not too forcibly, because he doubted Leo would want to go through the paper work until he had all their's, Casey's about the security, Aprils about community numbers and complaints, And her papers from Lilo about medical stuff, Erica's about the bees and out lying communities, zombie hordes, Mikey's with the horticulture and food storages. Before the loss Raph handled security and Casey helped April with the more community based things, but whilst he was having this down time and whilst soon to be a new dad Casey took over. Then with all the reports Leo hard the task of decisions to be made. Don did not envy that bit. He grins now - following Splinter as they took the rooftop path towards Raph's rooms, the pool sure looked inviting.


YoshiShen: Shen churred and wriggled and now held her arms up to Leo too! fingers wriggling insistently... all of her sort of was, balanced on Don's arm and held there but she was wriggling.

Folding his wings back in with the clatter and click of his shell scutes settling back into place and looking as if they couldn't spread wide Yoshi's foot felt a vibration and he giggles, his foot bapping gently against the belt, "buuuuuuzzzzzzz" he sniggers looking down he knew his dads phone was there... though it didn't have as many games on it as Uncle Mikey's did... it was still fun to play with... when he was allowed or managed to sneak it away... or get it given cause of big pouty face and big big eyes - Uncle Mikey taught him that!

Raph hated to admit it, but his lil bro was right. Nothing about Leo and Erica was normal. He remembered now, how he was skeptical of the girl when she hooked up with his brother. Afraid that she was simply using him for her own survival. Afraid that she would eventually break his brother's heart. He remembered the jealousy, too. But then, she proved herself, and as happy as he had been for his eldest brother, it was painful seeing them together. Longing for that level of love and acceptance....how he thought it would never happen for him, until the unexpected happened between Venus and him...


"You ain't wrong..." Raph finally admitted with a half snort, and maaaybe a hint of the tiniest of grins, even giving his lil brow a small shoulder bump...


He would never admit it, but his lil bro's company and the soft churring was a much needed comfort. He knew his family had given him space earlier, because he needed it to process the trauma and the loss and .. to get his anger under control.


The grief was still to fresh to even consider another mate, but he did feel condemned and destined to raise his child without a significant other.


Another hard 'bump' could be seen from the residence of the egg, obviously growing tired of the confines...

...and then another... and a third...this time, a tiny, two toed foot breaking through the top of the egg, where the infant's head should be! Raph's eyes widened and he jumped from his spot, the excitement flooding, his hands carefully gripping the sides of the incubators.. wanting to assist, but knowing... it built strength for the baby to make it out on his or her own...


"HOLY SHIT, MIKEY... WE'RE HAVIN' A BABY!!"

"You know it." Mikey says proudly. Leo didn't seemed to be mutating … but Donnie nodded whenever asked about his theory on the STM and assured Mikey their eldest brother was mutating. But never said more than that. Whether their brainy brother with the two mates knew more Mikey was not sure.


He knew as he always did that the company was helping Raph.


then - Mikey flails his arms, having backed up to do so, whispering in an urgent stage strangled sort of way, "RAPH! LANGUAGE! YOUR HAVING A BABY!" he reminds and informs and rushes to the door he had come in earlier and out, "IT"S HATCHING!" this time in a burst of a shout! which echoed and was unnecessary he saw cause Leo, Dad, Donnie were there... and his niece and nephew! he rushed forward and scooped the boy out of his fathers arms, and then the reaching for her little girl, "Ooooh you two so exciting your cousin is hatching! come! come! and rushing back in arms loaded back into Raph's room.

Yoshi had been leaning in his fathers grip, reaching down for the phone, eagerly thinking perhaps it was mummy!

when there was a shout and a rush of green! "AAAAAHHHhahahaa! wooo come on Daaaad!" He squeals in pleasant joy and laughing wriggles out of Uncle Mikey's grip as the orange wearing uncle reached for his sister, climbing up to those shoulders and sitting there - his wings had opened in his startled now hung open helping with balance as Mikey now with his little sister rushed them in, Yoshi's eyes widening and he grips the orange bandana tails hard, "REALLY?! Uncle Raphie? reaally? cous hatchin?" he half greets half shouts in glee.


To say he and Shen both had waited eagerly for their cousin as much as the rest of them was an understatement!


Shen had pouted at first! She loved uncle Mikey but she had been eagerly reaching for her dad, to be in his arms! her little wings beating the air - and she did pout over Mikey's shoulder at her dad before what their uncle was telling them was fully understood to her young mind - and thanks to her brothers happy shouts, her hands both going to her mouth pout vanishing in a happy squuuueeeeeee!