-/Donnie\-

The floor was cold on his skin, and he shivered slightly on contact, though he had only registered it a few moments ago. His limbs were close to being numb, the feeling just on the edge of his consciousness.

Perhaps if he were to fall asleep now, everything would be fine. He wouldn't wake up. He wouldn't want to die. He wouldn't be a bother to his family.

Maybe he wouldn't even blame himself anymore.

Donnie didn't know how long he had been out of it. There were no windows, nor any clocks. He had tried to keep track of it all, but it was no use.

One thing he knew, right at this moment, deep in his soul, was that Shredder would come back. He would hurt him again (though Donatello doubted he would even be conscious to feel it anyways).

Finally opening his eyes, he only found sudden, deep darkness all around him. He knew that if he were to even move his hand in front of his face, he wouldn't see it. The air smelled musty and damp, and he heard the steady drip, drip, drip of water falling somewhere around him.

So instead, he closed his eyes. Maybe this time will be the last time.

Maybe. Perhaps. Doubtfully.

His skin burnt and stung where he tried to close in on himself, hoping to find warmth somewhere. His shell ached. His toes wouldn't move. Hell, he didn't even know if his legs would move whatsoever.

What if he was paralyzed?

The thought plagued his mind as he sat there, his head swimming in thoughts he didn't want to think; didn't want to know or to worry about or to occupy himself with.

So instead, with half lidded eyes, his mind turned to memories of his brothers and him.

/-/-/-/-/

"Raph! No fair! I had it first!" A small Donatello watched as Mikey fought Raph for the final slice of goodness, his tiny arms reaching up pitifully.

"Oh yah? And whatcha gonna do about it? Go cry like a baby in your room?" Raphael taunted, easily taking a bite of the cheesy goodness, the smirk still plastered to his face.

"I'm not a baby! And I don't cry!" Don watched as Raph just smirked and walked away from the sniffling brother.

They hadn't known he was there, no one had. He was silent. He watched. He never said a word, never intervened. His curiosity was peaked once an angry blush accumulated on the young turtles face, and he kicked the pizza box (which had been sitting on the floor) over and over and over, letting out all of his anger and frustration.

Donatello looked down at his uneaten slice, and, though he was only a little hungry himself, he took up the slice anyway and left his hiding spot, knowing no one would see him anyway.

They rarely did.

Walking slowly, his feet barely made a noise on the cold ground as he made his way over to the small Michelangelo, tapping him softly on the shoulder.

Mikey turned around, small tears in his eyes, though Don knew that he wouldn't let them fall. Not this time.

The small turtle said nothing, and only held out his pizza slice, waiting for his younger sibling to take it.

Another sniffle came from Michelangelo, and he quickly wiped his nose with his forearm, looking up.

"Is that for me?" Donatello nodded slightly, dropping the piece into his brothers hand.

"Thank you." Nodding, Don went to walk away, but found himself turning around and slightly kissing Mikey's forehead, something he had seen Sensei do to calm the young brother down at night when the nightmares came.

Leaving then, Don went to his room, forgetting all about his hungry stomach.

/-/-/-/-/

Back in the present, Donatello thought fondly of that moment, a small smile gracing his scared face.

Perhaps when he sleeps forever, he will go back to a time like that.

And then maybe, just maybe, he will be happy again.