Few days had passed and Raphael seemed to be his normal self. No second mutation or any other symptoms from Bishop’s mystery serum which was huge relief. The day started like any other as Leo woke up at 6:30am and started to make his way downstairs, entering the kitchen and preparing tea to himself and his father what they enjoyed in Splinter’s room. Around 8am Leonardo walked his father in the kitchen and Raphael was there with Don already to eat their breakfasts but Michelangelo was missing.

“Mikey! Get up and come to eat your breakfast!” Leo shout from kitchen’s doorway. It took 10 more minute before Mikey appeared in the kitchen yawning out loud, wishing good morning to his family members who returned his wishing. Picking up Klunk’s bowl Mikey looked around, surprised for not to see his adopted cat anywhere.

“Hey, has any of you seen or feed Klunk yet?”

But none of them hadn’t which was odd since Klunk never left the lair but in the other hand he had lots of hiding places in there.

“Perhaps he isn’t hungry just yet.”

“Hmmm, maybe but it’s not like him. Oh well, I’ll feed him after the training.”

Finishing his own bowl of cereals Mikey raced Raph in the dojo, getting his shell playfully kicked by Raph in there as Don and Leo entered. Master Splinter had decided not to join his sons this morning but instead go and meditate on his own in his room. Boys took their time spending first 30 minute doing warm ups, then an hour doing katas and then last hour training with weapons.

When the time finally came to end the practice Mikey was the one to make his way out of the dojo to feed Klunk but he was still nowhere to be seen. Hours passed and it really started to worry everyone since it wasn’t normal at all for Klunk to disappear like that.

“What if he has sneak in the elevator, there to garage and escaped?” Leo wondered rather out loud to himself.

“No, Klunk would never leave me.”

“But it’s possible, ain’t it?”

“You just said it because you’re big meany, Raphie.”

Raph growled as he raised his fist to smack Mikey with it but Don stopped them, holding a towel in his hands.

“Guys, stop it. Mikey… I think I found Klunk.”

“What? Where?! Where is he?!”

Don sighed with painful expression on his face as he opened the towel in his arms, revealing orange cat foot. His brothers let out shocked gasp as Mikey screamed, taking that leg in his trembling arms.

“I… I’m sorry, Mikey.”

“N-No… Klunk! Who have done this?! Who could have sneak in our lair and kill my cat!?”

Tears poured down on those light green cheeks as Mikey sobbed and cried uncontrollably keeping his eyes on beloved Klunk’s leg while Don rubbed his shoulder in comforting way. Leonardo too showed his comfort to his little brother as well as Raph who pulled Mikey in a gentle hug.

“I’m sorry ya lost that cat. I… I really liked Klunk too, ya know.”

Mikey wasn’t in condition to talk so he just nodded few times against Raphael’s shoulder as Master Splinter approached them all, asking what was going on and his sons filled him with information, showing one leg too. Master Splinter was horrified just like everyone else but he still found words of comfort to Michelangelo.

“My son… I cannot describe how shocked we all are, how horrible this event is but rest assured Klunk is now free from this world and you can always meditate and connect with him. He lives in your heart, my son.”

“Yeah and beside, you gave him good home.”

“Y-you think so, D?”

“We all do, Mikey.” Leonardo assured his little brother.

“And guess what, ya can always adopt a new kitty from the street. When and if ya ever feel ready that is. I bet many kittens out there would love ta have a home with ya in here.”

Rubbing his running nose on the back of his hand Mikey only nodded, turning to look at his father.

“Master Splinter, can I keep this? His leg. I… I can’t let him go.”

“Michelangelo. In life you must accept death and learn to let go. However, in this case I would like to recommend something else. Donatello, do you still have that old oven what works in garage?”

“Yes, what about it?”

“You two then, come with me.”

His sons didn’t ask any more questions as they followed their father to garage, leaving Raphael and Leonardo on their spots in the middle of the lair. Raphael however kept seeing from the corner of his eye how Leo kept looking at him. Getting pissed off by that Raphael spun around on his heels, facing his cold gazed brother.

“What?!”

“I think you went a bit too far with that ‘adopt a new kitty’ line. We just found out Klunk’s dead and only part left of him was his leg and you went and said something already about new cat.”

“Hey, I know I ain’t as smart as ya are, oh your Highness, but I didn’t mean anything bad with that! Wanted ta comfort my little bro and tell him there’s many other cats who would give their tails if they could live here with Mike!”

“I appreciate it you think like that and want to support and comfort Mikey but you could have wait a bit longer before suggesting that.”

“Why the shell ya are always lecturing me?! If I ain’t giving comfort or support, ya lecture me because of it and if I do, ya lecture me about it too! Fuck ya, Leo! Leave me alone since nothing what I say or do is never okay or good enough for ya!”

It wasn’t something what hadn’t happen before and it was just another time, again, to see Raphael stomping away from Leo and locking himself in his room to lift weights to calm himself.

Weird smell had start to fill the lair and Leo couldn’t stop to wonder what Splinter, Mikey and Don were doing in garage but his answers came to him with the 3 of them. Splinter looked most satisfied and so did Don and Mikey… He kept carrying this small bottle with little ash pile in it and Leo realized it was ashes of Klunk’s leg.

“You can place them wherever you want.” Leonardo said when Mikey was more closer to him. Raising his bloodshot eyes up Mikey stared in Leo’s eyes a moment before nodding.

“I… I think I will keep him in my room for now… On my comic shelf. He gets the best place in it.”

“That sounds very good.”

Awkward silence was slowly filling the lair and it was clear some fresh air was needed so Splinter suggested his sons to go out but not too far away. Don and Leo were naturally up to it and they were sure Raph would appreciate it too but Mikey wasn’t in the mood. Instead he asked could he stay at home with Splinter and naturally his father understood and allowed this.

After needed preparations to go topside Don went to get Raph from his room while Leo waited at the door.

“Hey, Raph. Leo and I are heading out with Father’s permission. Want to join us?”

For a moment there was all quiet so Don knocked the door and he heard lock turning. Turning the knob door opened and Don stepped in, seeing Raph going back to his weight bench. Sitting down Raph waited for his brother with purple bandanna come to him and Donatello could tell something was troubling him. Kneeling down and placing his hand on Raphael’s knee, Don looked up at his brother’s face with slight worry.

“Is everything okay?”

“… Ya and Leo talked about second mutation when I woke up.”

“… Yes?”

“Just what exactly ya meant with it?”

“I – I’m not sure. Any kind of mutation I guess.”

“Does this count?”

Raphael opened his mouth wide open, showing long fangs both up and down. Fascinated by this Don stood up and came closer getting a better look of them.

“Well, I would say this counts. Is there any other transformations?”

“Like my dick being bigger?” Raphael chuckled but he turned back more serious when Don gave him a little look. “No what I know. Just these fangs. It’s been hard of getting used on them.”

“I see. Hmm, well if that’s the only transformation what you have gone through then I’m most pleased with the result. Can I ask when they appeared?” Don explained happily and sometimes, when Don was happy about something, it did creep Raphael out – even now.

“This morning… So I ain’t have ta worry about this?”

“No. Be at ease since this isn’t anything so serious. We were expecting you to transform like I did.”

“Yeah, ta be honest I was afraid I might would had mutate like ya did but heck I’m happy it didn’t happen ta me.”

Nodding to his brother Don assured once more that Raph would be fine while helping Raphael on his feet and together they made their way down to Leo who was still waiting them. Opening the door they said bye to Mikey and Splinter and faded into the darkness of the night.