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Type: TMNT 2k3 multi-chapter
Rated: E
Summary: As a family, as siblings, they were often at odds with each other over something. Usually it was minor and didn't affect their lives all that much. This time though, three of the brothers were being aloof, leaving Donatello in the middle of a difficult situation - trying to play peacekeeper.", "writing": "\t``I hope it's my cable that needs work and not anything belonging to the city,'' Donatello said. ``We could run into city workers, which would mean waiting for power until they finish.''\n\n\tHe and Raphael were walking through the sewers, following the power cable that Don had installed years earlier. Both were using flashlights to survey the cable, each looking for the tell-tale sign of a break.\n\n\t``I doubt we'll have to worry about city workers, they don't move that fast,'' Raph replied.\n\n\t``In their defense, they do have an entire city to look after, we've only got our lair.''\n\n\tRaph chuckled. ``Always trying to find the good in people, aren't ya', Donny?''\n\n\t``I like to think that most people are inherently good,'' Don said. ``Others aren't bad, just self-serving.''\n\n\t``What category would ya' put Shredder in?'' Raph asked. ``Besides the `he won't ever bother anyone ever again' category.''\n\n\t``I'll give you that one. Shredder was definitely bad.'' Don cast a quick look in Raph's direction and then turned back to examining the cable. ``We've faced quite a few that I would put in the bad category, including Hun and most certainly Bishop.''\n\n\tThe only reaction he got was a grunt. None of Don's brothers had mentioned Bishop since the incident. If he was ever going to learn what the big argument was about, Don really needed them to discuss what had happened that night.\n\n\tDonatello had gotten separated from his brothers. It wasn't the first time that had occurred during a battle and it probably wouldn't be the last. When fighting was required, Don could most definitely fight. But Splinter had taught them to know when to fight, and when to use their heads. That was what Donatello excelled at; using his head. His technical knowledge had gotten the family out of plenty of jams. It had helped get them out of this last Bishop encounter.\n\n\tAnd because he'd been working his tech magic, he hadn't seen what had happened to make his brothers so mad at each other. One of the first things Don had done after Bishop had sprung his trap was to knock out all the cameras in the building. So even if he wanted to, Don couldn't access any sort of recording of the incident.\n\n\tThat night. That fight. It was ugly; it was beyond ugly. It had scared Don in a way that past fights hadn't. Being captured by other enemies, even Shredder, meant facing sudden death. Bishop was different. He wanted to study them, dissect them, use the knowledge he gained to build an army that would have no regard for life of any kind.\n\n\tDon had fully expected to receive a lecture from Leo on being aware of his surroundings, on not becoming so starry eyed over technology and gadgets that he forgot where he was. He hadn't gotten one and he felt as though he should have. Don had been so focused on the room full of technological wonders he'd discovered that it had taken him a while to realize that he was alone.\t\n\n\tHe'd tried to apologize; to Leo, to his brothers, but they had waved his apologies away and said he'd done nothing wrong. Don didn't believe it then and didn't believe it now. If anything, they should have been holding out on him, refusing to have sex with him, in order to punish him for his lapse. But they weren't, they were mad at each other for some reason to which Donatello was not privy.\n\n\t``Don. Donny. Earth to Don. Yo!''\n\n\tThe last was practically shouted in his ear and Donatello gave a start.\n\n\t``Sorry,'' Don said, offering Raph a contrite look.\n\n\t``Where was your head at?'' Raph asked. ``Never mind. Look.''\n\n\tHe pointed upward. Don immediately saw the rat's nest that had been built around a segment of his electrical cable. Though he couldn't see the section of cable under the nest, Don knew that's where the break had occurred.\n\n\t``Looking for heat and trying to keep their teeth healthy,'' Don murmured.\n\n\t``I don't need to know why they do that,'' Raph said.\n\n\tDon set his duffel bag down. ``But I do know why and I should have had the foresight to encase the cable in PVC. I was afraid that would make it more noticeable to city workers.''\n\n\tHis shell cell buzzed as he handed a pair of thick gloves and a gas mask to his brother. Before pulling on his own, Don checked his phone and saw he'd gotten a message from Leo.\n\n\t[i]``Have u found problem?''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``Yes. About 2 make repair.''[/i]\n\n\tDon tucked the phone away and then saw Raph staring at him. ``What?''\n\n\t``Mama Leo checking in?''\n\n “It’s what he does, Raph.” Don put on his gear and then drew his bo staff. ``Stand back.''\n\n\tRaph dutifully backed away a few paces and then Don began poking the nest with his staff. Rats came streaming out, running along the walls and darting into shadowed alcoves to avoid the lights Raph was shining on them. Several made aggressive moves towards the turtles, but after Raph stabbed a few and Don bludgeoned some, the rest abandoned their home for safer territory.\n\n\tWhen they were gone, Don and Raph began pulling away the detritus that made up the nest. It was nasty work and Don was glad the nest wasn't any larger. He was also glad not to discover any rat pups, because killing them always made him feel bad.\n\n\t``Imagine if someone had done this to Sensei before he rescued us,'' Raph said, his voice muffled by the mask.\n\n\t``I'd rather not,'' Don replied. ``Besides, needs must. Even Master Splinter has disposed of a few of his own kind. Rats aren't exactly congenial to others from outside their colony.''\n\n\tThe turtles were standing back waiting for the dust to settle when Don's shell cell buzzed again. He walked away from the area in order to remove his gloves and mask so he could check the message.\n\n\tIt was from Michelangelo. [i]``Where R U?''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``In tunnels. Cable repair.''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``Need help?''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``Raph's here.''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``Never mind.''[/i]\n\n\tRaph walked up next to him and removed his protective gear. ``Was that Leo again?''\n\n\t``Mikey.''\n\n\t``Bet he didn't offer to help,'' Raph said.\n\n\t``Actually, he did. I told him you were here,'' Don said, watching for Raph's reaction.\n\n\tHis brother snorted. ``As long as someone else is doing the work, he's happy.''\n\n\t``That's not really fair,'' Don said. ``Mikey helps me out pretty often. Let's not forget he does most of the cooking, too.''\n\n\t``Only `cause he does most of the eating,'' Raph said. ``So, we ready to fix that cable?''\n\n\t``Let's get to it.''\n\n\tLeaving the area so that the air could clear a little more, the pair walked back to the junction box that Donatello had tapped into in order to turn off the power. During the walk they checked to see if there were any other breaks and were glad to discover there weren't.\n\n\tBeing so experienced at splicing broken cable meant it didn't take long for Don to effect repairs, especially with Raph there to lend him a hand. Once the cable was spliced, Don protected the area with heat shrink before going back to the junction box to turn the power back on. Raphael did not leave his side the entire time.\n\n\tDon had just thrown the switch at the junction box when his shell cell buzzed again.\n\n\t[i]``Power back on. U headed home?''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``Yes.''[/i]\n\n\t``Let me guess,'' Raph said, crossing his arms over his plastron. ``Leo.''\n\n\t``I would have had to text him anyway to make sure the splice worked,'' Don said.\n\n\tHe was starting to put the phone away when it buzzed.\n\n\t[i]``Can I watch TV now?''[/i]\n\n\tDon rolled his eyes and tapped out, [i]``Yes.''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``What do u want for dinner? Cooking just for u.''[/i]\n\n\tRaph pressed against Don's side in order to see his shell cell. He tugged the phone from Don's hand.\n\n\t``Hey!'' Don made a grab for it, but Raph turned his carapace to his brother and responded to the text.\n\n\tWhatever Mikey replied made Raph chuckle, and not in a nice way. He typed something else and then Don managed to wrestle the phone away from him. Don stepped back, expecting Raph to make another grab for the phone, but his brother just winked at him, so Don looked at the messages.\n\n\t[i]``Chicken Parmesan.''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``That's Raph's favorite. :( ``[/i]\n\n\t[i]``Yeah, you little shit, it is.''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``U can starve.''[/i]\n\n\tThe last message came through as Don held the phone and he made sure that Raph didn't see it. Instead he typed, [i]``Back soon. Stop fighting.''[/i]\n\n\t[i]``Tell the big jerk.''[/i]\n\n\tDon shoved his phone back into his belt, not bothering with a reply.\n\n\t``Why'd ya' let him have the last word?'' Raph demanded.\n\n\t``All three of you are behaving like juveniles,'' Don said as he went to put away his tools. He stood up and slung his duffel bag over his shoulder. ``I want to know why.''\n\n\tDon stared at his brother expectantly, but Raph gave no indication that he intended to answer.\n\n\tWith a sigh, Don said, ``We need to come back here soon and toss around some sliced onion. Rats don't like that scent and it should encourage them not to rebuild.''\n\n\t``Now that's the perfect job for Mikey,'' Raph said. He started to add something but apparently saw the look on Don's face and stopped himself. ``How about we hop a shower together? Save on the hot water. I'll clean your shell, you clean mine.''\n\n\tThere was a touch of innuendo in his voice which Don chose to ignore. When they returned to the lair, Raph seemed to take it for granted that his brother would join him in the bathroom and appeared surprised when Don stopped at the door.\n\n\t``You go ahead,'' Don said. ``I need to talk to Master Splinter.''\n\n\t``Before cleaning that crap off of ya'? That ain't too sanitary, Donny.''\n\n\t``I won't touch anything,'' Don told him as he walked away.\n\n\tHe could feel Raph's eyes on him, perhaps believing that Don was actually going to check in with Leo. Fighting the urge to look back, Don made straight for his father's room. He dropped his duffel bag next to the doorway before entering.\n\n\tOnce inside the chamber, Don paused at the top of the stairs. Master Splinter was going through the slow, graceful steps of Tai Chi. Don debated leaving so as not to disturb him, but instead found himself fascinated as usual by the fluidity of his father's movements.\n\n\tWithout breaking stride or even glancing in his son's direction, Master Splinter said, ``Join me.''\n\n\tIt had been a long time since Don had worked out alongside his father. He was soon moving in tandem with Master Splinter and enjoying the meditative quality of the exercise.\n\n\tDon really hadn't anything he wanted to speak to Master Splinter about, he'd just used that as an excuse to avoid the sexual advances he was sure that Raph meant to make. Master Splinter's words played in Don's head, [i]``if they continue to get everything they need from you, they have no motivation to seek a resolution with each other''.[/i]\n\n\tUp until that moment, Don had no actual plan of action. Right then he knew that he'd have to withhold his affections from all three of his brothers if he was going to make any progress towards getting them to resolve their differences.\n\n\tHe knew that was the right decision because he immediately felt less burdened. A short while later they completed their exercise and when Don looked at his father, he found Master Splinter smiling at him.\n\n\t``There is fresh bedding on the futon,'' Master Splinter said. ``You may use the room divider for privacy. I know you like to play with your computer and the divider will ensure the light does not spill into my side of the room.''\n\n\tDon glanced over at the bamboo divider, one of the only possessions to have survived the destruction of their two previous lairs. It made him think of their early life, when things were both harder and simpler.\n\n\t``I hope I won't have to share your room for very long, Sensei,'' Don said. He shook his head. ``I spent several hours with Raph and he still refuses to tell me a thing.''\n\n\t``Draw them out, Donatello. Make them speak to you,'' Master Splinter said. ``Would you like to know how I got you four to tell me things when you were little?''\n\n\t``Yes, anything that will help. But... I thought you wanted us to solve our own problems.''\n\n\t``Ah, my son, that does not mean I will never again offer my advice,'' Master Splinter told him. ``As long as I walk this mortal coil, you will always have the benefit of my wisdom. Possibly even beyond that point.''\n\n\tDon couldn't help but smile at the twinkle in his father's eyes. ``If anyone can do it, you would be the one, Sensei.''\n\n\t``Until then, I will speak to you as plainly as I can. Allow your brothers to believe that you know more than you actually do. Intimate to each that one of the others has shared a bit of information and that possibly what they have told you places that brother in a bad light,'' Master Splinter said. ``It is in our nature to defend ourselves; to set the record straight.''\n\n\t``But don't I have to know [i]something [/i]first? Enough so that it doesn't sound like I'm fishing for information?'' Don asked.\n\n\tMaster Splinter shook his head. ``This is where attitude and delivery make the difference. They don't want to talk to you about whatever happened, and you can use that to your advantage. Honor their wishes.''\n\n\tDon thought about that for a second and then blinked rapidly as understanding came to him. ``It's okay, I know you don't want to talk about it,'' he murmured.\n\n\t``Exactly. Leave them to wonder what all you know,'' Master Splinter said. ``Soon they will be coming to you seeking answers and in their questions, you will learn everything.''\n\n\t``You are very sneaky, Sensei,'' Don said, gazing with admiration at his father.\n\n\t``I raised four sons. Sneaky is a requirement.'' Master Splinter tipped his head to the side and his nose twitched. ``Now go, off to the showers with you. I can smell the lingering aroma of the tunnels and my own kind.''\n\n\tDonatello bowed to his father and then left him alone. On his way to the bathroom, Don took the time to look around, trying to locate each of his brothers. None of them were in sight, but he heard pots clattering in the kitchen and knew it had to be Mikey.\n\n\tAfter a good, long shower, Don went to his room to retrieve a fresh mask, belt, and pads before walking over to the kitchen. If he was going to put Master Splinter's idea into operation, Michelangelo seemed like a good starting point.\n\n\t``What did you decide to make and can I help?'' Don asked upon seeing his brother.\n\n\t``Red beans and rice along with some Cajun sausage,'' Mikey answered. ``It's that recipe I got from April. Remember when she made it for us? You loved it. At least, I hope you did and weren't just saying that because it was April who cooked.''\n\n\t``I actually do love it,'' Don said. ``What can I do?''\n\n\t``Nothing, dude. You worked plenty today, it's time for you to be pampered.'' Mikey reached up to pat Don's cheek, his hand smelling slightly of onion.\n\n\t``Oh, that reminds me. I need to chop some onions to toss along the cable route so the rats leave our source of electricity alone,'' Don said.\n\n\t``I'll do it,'' Mikey offered. ``I can put the slices in a big baggie for you.''\n\n\t``That's a lot of onion slicing,'' Don said. ``Your eyes - ''\n\n\t``Will be fine. I know the trick, bro'. I just put the onions in the freezer for about ten minutes before I cut them.''\n\n\t``I'll have to remember that,'' Don said, even though he knew why that worked. ``Um, Mikey, we really need to talk. This cold war needs to end.''\n\n\tMikey's glance in his direction was inscrutable. He then turned his attention back to cooking. ``Guess when it's the right time to talk, we'll all talk.''\n\n\tThis was the moment to try the strategy that Master Splinter had suggested. ``You forget, I was alone with Raph for a long time today,'' Don said. ``Mikey, it wasn't your fault.''\n\n\tThe effect was immediate; Mikey's face grew slightly red and he spluttered, ``Wasn't m... my fa... fault? You're darn right it wasn't! What did he say? Did he say he was the first to run off?''\n\n\t``No. No, Mikey, he actually didn't.''\n\n\t``I'm not taking the blame just `cause Leo decided to chase after him,'' Mikey grumbled bitterly. ``You know how those two are. What was I supposed to do?''\n\n\t``Just what you did,'' Don said. ``It's okay.''\n\n\tMikey's eyes narrowed suspiciously. ``Raphie's got a big mouth, but he knows better than to... what did he tell you?''\n\n\tDon lifted his head as though listening. ``I think I hear Leo. I need to discuss our plans for the evening with him. We can talk again later, Mikey.''\n\n\tHis brother made a grab for his arm, but Don side-stepped the attempt and strode off swiftly.\n\n\tSince he really didn't know where Leo was, Don went to his lab to think, making certain that Mikey didn't see in which direction he'd gone. He was going to have to locate Leo before Mikey did, because his youngest brother was already skeptical of him. Don chided himself for not being more subtle. The trick was to lead his brothers into offering information without saying things that would make them think he was fishing.\n\n\tIf they started talking before Don learned anything, they might strengthen their resolve about keeping their mouths shut around him. That wasn't the kind of communication he wanted between them. What Don wanted was a resolution, not more secrets.\n\n\tAt least he’d found out that he wasn’t the only one to have gotten separated from his brothers. From what Mikey had said, it seemed that all four of them had split up at least for a part of the time while they were inside Bishop's compound.\n\n\tWhatever had happened to make them so angry at each other, it had stemmed from that separation. It wasn't the separation itself, either, because then they'd be mad at Don too.\n\n\tTaking a deep breath, Don left his lab and went to find Leo. It was time to get a little blood out of another family stone.\n\nTBC....\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "\t``I hope it's my cable that needs work and not anything belonging to the city,'' Donatello said.  ``We could run into city workers, which would mean waiting for power until they finish.''

\tHe and Raphael were walking through the sewers, following the power cable that Don had installed years earlier.  Both were using flashlights to survey the cable, each looking for the tell-tale sign of a break.

\t``I doubt we'll have to worry about city workers, they don't move that fast,'' Raph replied.

\t``In their defense, they do have an entire city to look after, we've only got our lair.''

\tRaph chuckled.  ``Always trying to find the good in people, aren't ya', Donny?''

\t``I like to think that most people are inherently good,'' Don said.  ``Others aren't bad, just self-serving.''

\t``What category would ya' put Shredder in?'' Raph asked.  ``Besides the `he won't ever bother anyone ever again' category.''

\t``I'll give you that one.  Shredder was definitely bad.''  Don cast a quick look in Raph's direction and then turned back to examining the cable.  ``We've faced quite a few that I would put in the bad category, including Hun and most certainly Bishop.''

\tThe only reaction he got was a grunt.  None of Don's brothers had mentioned Bishop since the incident.  If he was ever going to learn what the big argument was about, Don really needed them to discuss what had happened that night.

\tDonatello had gotten separated from his brothers.  It wasn't the first time that had occurred during a battle and it probably wouldn't be the last.  When fighting was required, Don could most definitely fight.  But Splinter had taught them to know when to fight, and when to use their heads.  That was what Donatello excelled at; using his head. His technical knowledge had gotten the family out of plenty of jams.  It had helped get them out of this last Bishop encounter.

\tAnd because he'd been working his tech magic, he hadn't seen what had happened to make his brothers so mad at each other.  One of the first things Don had done after Bishop had sprung his trap was to knock out all the cameras in the building.  So even if he wanted to, Don couldn't access any sort of recording of the incident.

\tThat night.  That fight.  It was ugly; it was beyond ugly.  It had scared Don in a way that past fights hadn't.  Being captured by other enemies, even Shredder, meant facing sudden death.  Bishop was different.  He wanted to study them, dissect them, use the knowledge he gained to build an army that would have no regard for life of any kind.

\tDon had fully expected to receive a lecture from Leo on being aware of his surroundings, on not becoming so starry eyed over technology and gadgets that he forgot where he was.  He hadn't gotten one and he felt as though he should have.  Don had been so focused on the room full of technological wonders he'd discovered that it had taken him a while to realize that he was alone.\t

\tHe'd tried to apologize; to Leo, to his brothers, but they had waved his apologies away and said he'd done nothing wrong.  Don didn't believe it then and didn't believe it now.  If anything, they should have been holding out on him, refusing to have sex with him, in order to punish him for his lapse.  But they weren't, they were mad at each other for some reason to which Donatello was not privy.

\t``Don.  Donny.  Earth to Don.  Yo!''

\tThe last was practically shouted in his ear and Donatello gave a start.

\t``Sorry,'' Don said, offering Raph a contrite look.

\t``Where was your head at?'' Raph asked.  ``Never mind.  Look.''

\tHe pointed upward.  Don immediately saw the rat's nest that had been built around a segment of his electrical cable.  Though he couldn't see the section of cable under the nest, Don knew that's where the break had occurred.

\t``Looking for heat and trying to keep their teeth healthy,'' Don murmured.

\t``I don't need to know why they do that,'' Raph said.

\tDon set his duffel bag down.  ``But I do know why and I should have had the foresight to encase the cable in PVC.  I was afraid that would make it more noticeable to city workers.''

\tHis shell cell buzzed as he handed a pair of thick gloves and a gas mask to his brother.  Before pulling on his own, Don checked his phone and saw he'd gotten a message from Leo.

\t``Have u found problem?''

\t``Yes. About 2 make repair.''

\tDon tucked the phone away and then saw Raph staring at him.  ``What?''

\t``Mama Leo checking in?''

        “It’s what he does, Raph.”  Don put on his gear and then drew his bo staff.  ``Stand back.''

\tRaph dutifully backed away a few paces and then Don began poking the nest with his staff.  Rats came streaming out, running along the walls and darting into shadowed alcoves to avoid the lights Raph was shining on them.  Several made aggressive moves towards the turtles, but after Raph stabbed a few and Don bludgeoned some, the rest abandoned their home for safer territory.

\tWhen they were gone, Don and Raph began pulling away the detritus that made up the nest.  It was nasty work and Don was glad the nest wasn't any larger.  He was also glad not to discover any rat pups, because killing them always made him feel bad.

\t``Imagine if someone had done this to Sensei before he rescued us,'' Raph said, his voice muffled by the mask.

\t``I'd rather not,'' Don replied.  ``Besides, needs must.  Even Master Splinter has disposed of a few of his own kind.  Rats aren't exactly congenial to others from outside their colony.''

\tThe turtles were standing back waiting for the dust to settle when Don's shell cell buzzed again.  He walked away from the area in order to remove his gloves and mask so he could check the message.

\tIt was from Michelangelo.  ``Where R U?''

\t``In tunnels. Cable repair.''

\t``Need help?''

\t``Raph's here.''

\t``Never mind.''

\tRaph walked up next to him and removed his protective gear.  ``Was that Leo again?''

\t``Mikey.''

\t``Bet he didn't offer to help,'' Raph said.

\t``Actually, he did.  I told him you were here,'' Don said, watching for Raph's reaction.

\tHis brother snorted.  ``As long as someone else is doing the work, he's happy.''

\t``That's not really fair,'' Don said.  ``Mikey helps me out pretty often.  Let's not forget he does most of the cooking, too.''

\t``Only `cause he does most of the eating,'' Raph said.  ``So, we ready to fix that cable?''

\t``Let's get to it.''

\tLeaving the area so that the air could clear a little more, the pair walked back to the junction box that Donatello had tapped into in order to turn off the power.  During the walk they checked to see if there were any other breaks and were glad to discover there weren't.

\tBeing so experienced at splicing broken cable meant it didn't take long for Don to effect repairs, especially with Raph there to lend him a hand.  Once the cable was spliced, Don protected the area with heat shrink before going back to the junction box to turn the power back on.  Raphael did not leave his side the entire time.

\tDon had just thrown the switch at the junction box when his shell cell buzzed again.

\t``Power back on. U headed home?''

\t``Yes.''

\t``Let me guess,'' Raph said, crossing his arms over his plastron.  ``Leo.''

\t``I would have had to text him anyway to make sure the splice worked,'' Don said.

\tHe was starting to put the phone away when it buzzed.

\t``Can I watch TV now?''

\tDon rolled his eyes and tapped out, ``Yes.''

\t``What do u want for dinner?  Cooking just for u.''

\tRaph pressed against Don's side in order to see his shell cell.  He tugged the phone from Don's hand.

\t``Hey!''  Don made a grab for it, but Raph turned his carapace to his brother and responded to the text.

\tWhatever Mikey replied made Raph chuckle, and not in a nice way.  He typed something else and then Don managed to wrestle the phone away from him.  Don stepped back, expecting Raph to make another grab for the phone, but his brother just winked at him, so Don looked at the messages.

\t``Chicken Parmesan.''

\t``That's Raph's favorite. :( ``

\t``Yeah, you little shit, it is.''

\t``U can starve.''

\tThe last message came through as Don held the phone and he made sure that Raph didn't see it. Instead he typed, ``Back soon. Stop fighting.''

\t``Tell the big jerk.''

\tDon shoved his phone back into his belt, not bothering with a reply.

\t``Why'd ya' let him have the last word?'' Raph demanded.

\t``All three of you are behaving like juveniles,'' Don said as he went to put away his tools.  He stood up and slung his duffel bag over his shoulder.  ``I want to know why.''

\tDon stared at his brother expectantly, but Raph gave no indication that he intended to answer.

\tWith a sigh, Don said, ``We need to come back here soon and toss around some sliced onion.  Rats don't like that scent and it should encourage them not to rebuild.''

\t``Now that's the perfect job for Mikey,'' Raph said.  He started to add something but apparently saw the look on Don's face and stopped himself.  ``How about we hop a shower together?  Save on the hot water.  I'll clean your shell, you clean mine.''

\tThere was a touch of innuendo in his voice which Don chose to ignore.  When they returned to the lair, Raph seemed to take it for granted that his brother would join him in the bathroom and appeared surprised when Don stopped at the door.

\t``You go ahead,'' Don said.  ``I need to talk to Master Splinter.''

\t``Before cleaning that crap off of ya'?  That ain't too sanitary, Donny.''

\t``I won't touch anything,'' Don told him as he walked away.

\tHe could feel Raph's eyes on him, perhaps believing that Don was actually going to check in with Leo.  Fighting the urge to look back, Don made straight for his father's room.  He dropped his duffel bag next to the doorway before entering.

\tOnce inside the chamber, Don paused at the top of the stairs.  Master Splinter was going through the slow, graceful steps of Tai Chi.  Don debated leaving so as not to disturb him, but instead found himself fascinated as usual by the fluidity of his father's movements.

\tWithout breaking stride or even glancing in his son's direction, Master Splinter said, ``Join me.''

\tIt had been a long time since Don had worked out alongside his father.  He was soon moving in tandem with Master Splinter and enjoying the meditative quality of the exercise.

\tDon really hadn't anything he wanted to speak to Master Splinter about, he'd just used that as an excuse to avoid the sexual advances he was sure that Raph meant to make.  Master Splinter's words played in Don's head, ``if they continue to get everything they need from you, they have no motivation to seek a resolution with each other''.

\tUp until that moment, Don had no actual plan of action.  Right then he knew that he'd have to withhold his affections from all three of his brothers if he was going to make any progress towards getting them to resolve their differences.

\tHe knew that was the right decision because he immediately felt less burdened.  A short while later they completed their exercise and when Don looked at his father, he found Master Splinter smiling at him.

\t``There is fresh bedding on the futon,'' Master Splinter said.  ``You may use the room divider for privacy.  I know you like to play with your computer and the divider will ensure the light does not spill into my side of the room.''

\tDon glanced over at the bamboo divider, one of the only possessions to have survived the destruction of their two previous lairs.  It made him think of their early life, when things were both harder and simpler.

\t``I hope I won't have to share your room for very long, Sensei,'' Don said.  He shook his head.  ``I spent several hours with Raph and he still refuses to tell me a thing.''

\t``Draw them out, Donatello. Make them speak to you,'' Master Splinter said.  ``Would you like to know how I got you four to tell me things when you were little?''

\t``Yes, anything that will help.  But... I thought you wanted us to solve our own problems.''

\t``Ah, my son, that does not mean I will never again offer my advice,'' Master Splinter told him.  ``As long as I walk this mortal coil, you will always have the benefit of my wisdom.  Possibly even beyond that point.''

\tDon couldn't help but smile at the twinkle in his father's eyes.  ``If anyone can do it, you would be the one, Sensei.''

\t``Until then, I will speak to you as plainly as I can.  Allow your brothers to believe that you know more than you actually do.  Intimate to each that one of the others has shared a bit of information and that possibly what they have told you places that brother in a bad light,'' Master Splinter said.  ``It is in our nature to defend ourselves; to set the record straight.''

\t``But don't I have to know something first?  Enough so that it doesn't sound like I'm fishing for information?'' Don asked.

\tMaster Splinter shook his head.  ``This is where attitude and delivery make the difference.  They don't want to talk to you about whatever happened, and you can use that to your advantage.  Honor their wishes.''

\tDon thought about that for a second and then blinked rapidly as understanding came to him.  ``It's okay, I know you don't want to talk about it,'' he murmured.

\t``Exactly.  Leave them to wonder what all you know,'' Master Splinter said.  ``Soon they will be coming to you seeking answers and in their questions, you will learn everything.''

\t``You are very sneaky, Sensei,'' Don said, gazing with admiration at his father.

\t``I raised four sons.  Sneaky is a requirement.''  Master Splinter tipped his head to the side and his nose twitched.  ``Now go, off to the showers with you.  I can smell the lingering aroma of the tunnels and my own kind.''

\tDonatello bowed to his father and then left him alone.  On his way to the bathroom, Don took the time to look around, trying to locate each of his brothers.  None of them were in sight, but he heard pots clattering in the kitchen and knew it had to be Mikey.

\tAfter a good, long shower, Don went to his room to retrieve a fresh mask, belt, and pads before walking over to the kitchen.  If he was going to put Master Splinter's idea into operation, Michelangelo seemed like a good starting point.

\t``What did you decide to make and can I help?'' Don asked upon seeing his brother.

\t``Red beans and rice along with some Cajun sausage,'' Mikey answered.  ``It's that recipe I got from April.  Remember when she made it for us?  You loved it.  At least, I hope you did and weren't just saying that because it was April who cooked.''

\t``I actually do love it,'' Don said.  ``What can I do?''

\t``Nothing, dude.  You worked plenty today, it's time for you to be pampered.''  Mikey reached up to pat Don's cheek, his hand smelling slightly of onion.

\t``Oh, that reminds me.  I need to chop some onions to toss along the cable route so the rats leave our source of electricity alone,'' Don said.

\t``I'll do it,'' Mikey offered.  ``I can put the slices in a big baggie for you.''

\t``That's a lot of onion slicing,'' Don said.  ``Your eyes - ''

\t``Will be fine.  I know the trick, bro'.  I just put the onions in the freezer for about ten minutes before I cut them.''

\t``I'll have to remember that,'' Don said, even though he knew why that worked.  ``Um, Mikey, we really need to talk.  This cold war needs to end.''

\tMikey's glance in his direction was inscrutable.  He then turned his attention back to cooking.  ``Guess when it's the right time to talk, we'll all talk.''

\tThis was the moment to try the strategy that Master Splinter had suggested.  ``You forget, I was alone with Raph for a long time today,'' Don said.  ``Mikey, it wasn't your fault.''

\tThe effect was immediate; Mikey's face grew slightly red and he spluttered, ``Wasn't m... my fa... fault?  You're darn right it wasn't!  What did he say?  Did he say he was the first to run off?''

\t``No.  No, Mikey, he actually didn't.''

\t``I'm not taking the blame just `cause Leo decided to chase after him,'' Mikey grumbled bitterly.  ``You know how those two are.  What was I supposed to do?''

\t``Just what you did,'' Don said.  ``It's okay.''

\tMikey's eyes narrowed suspiciously.  ``Raphie's got a big mouth, but he knows better than to... what did he tell you?''

\tDon lifted his head as though listening.  ``I think I hear Leo.  I need to discuss our plans for the evening with him.  We can talk again later, Mikey.''

\tHis brother made a grab for his arm, but Don side-stepped the attempt and strode off swiftly.

\tSince he really didn't know where Leo was, Don went to his lab to think, making certain that Mikey didn't see in which direction he'd gone.  He was going to have to locate Leo before Mikey did, because his youngest brother was already skeptical of him.  Don chided himself for not being more subtle.  The trick was to lead his brothers into offering information without saying things that would make them think he was fishing.

\tIf they started talking before Don learned anything, they might strengthen their resolve about keeping their mouths shut around him.  That wasn't the kind of communication he wanted between them.  What Don wanted was a resolution, not more secrets.

\tAt least he’d found out that he wasn’t the only one to have gotten separated from his brothers.  From what Mikey had said, it seemed that all four of them had split up at least for a part of the time while they were inside Bishop's compound.

\tWhatever had happened to make them so angry at each other, it had stemmed from that separation.  It wasn't the separation itself, either, because then they'd be mad at Don too.

\tTaking a deep breath, Don left his lab and went to find Leo.  It was time to get a little blood out of another family stone.

TBC....

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