Leatherhead had ordered his men to take him to the hospital, so that Michelangelo can be treated. He, Mikey, Tiger Claw, Y'gythgba, and Slash hopped into the same van. The van was very big, enough to accommodate all five of them, Slash was driving. The rest of Leatherhead's men were following them from other vans. Leatherhead held Mikey in his arms. He covered him with his own jacket, trying to keep him warm. It was starting to rain now and Leatherhead began to think back to the time Mikey and him used to go outside and play in the rain. Mikey loves the rain, at least he thinks he still does. It's been so long, he doesn't really know what he likes anymore. What has happened to his best friend? What was he put through? What was he forced to do? For now, all he could do is take care of him and ask questions when Mikey is ready. He never kept his eyes off of his terrapin friend, who was still asleep in his arms. He noticed how small and thin Mikey was. It broke his heart, he remembered how healthy he used to be; when they were kids.

He began to wonder, was he too late? Would his friend even make it to the hospital?! After searching for so long, will his best friend Die!? Right Here In His Arms!?

"He will make it." Leatherhead looked up for the first time since he got into the van, he was now staring at Tiger Claw. "He is a very strong cub, now that he is with you he won't stop fighting to stay alive. You should have seen his face when he stood up to Shredder... he had no fear. He had strength and he still does." Leatherhead bowed his head to Tiger Claw. "Thank you for telling me that. I know how strong he is, but sometimes I must be reminded of it." Leatherhead lifted his head and his eyes were glazed with tears that wanted to escape his light green eyes, so they did. Tiger Claw, Y'gythgba, and Slash, who witnessed their conversation through the rearview mirror, have never seen their boss and friend so emotionally vulnerable before. It showed them how much Mikey meant to him. "Thank you, my friends. I can not tell you how grateful I am for your efforts in saving Michelangelo." All three mutants smiled at their friend, happy they were able to successfully complete their mission.

"Are the other children safe as well?" Leatherhead was now addressing Y'gythgba. "Yes, sir. And they will be treated at Sato hospital as for your request. It was thanks to Michelangelo that the children escaped unharmed. He was very resourceful and calm considering the pressure he was under." Y'gythgba looked at the sleeping turtle with a proud smile. Slash chimed into the conversation, "If you ask me, he would make a great warrior. The little guy has a lot of spirit, he will make a great addition to our family." Slash glanced through the rearview mirror to get a glimpse of Mikey. He felt bad about not being able to rescue him sooner. He could see how skinny and beat up his body was. He wondered, if that's what he looked like from the outside then he would hate to find out what he looked like from the inside? Being in the line of work he was in he knew what to expect, but that didn't make it any easier. Seeing someone so precious and close to his friend being treated that way...it felt like a stab to the heart.

"That is if he wants to be a part of our family." Slash was pulled out of his thoughts by Leatherhead. "After everything that he's been through would he even want to? I am a stranger to him now." Leatherhead said with a sad frown as he wiped the sweat from Michelangelo's forehead. He noticed that he no longer felt cold, but was extremely hot now. He was burning up! "Step on it! We need to get to the hospital now!" Leatherhead yelled at Slash who was driving behind one of his guards vehicles. "On It!" Slash reached for his walkie talkie and told the men in front of his to speed up. Tiger Claw and Y'gythgba got worried at Michelangelos sudden change of condition. After a ten more minutes of driving the van came to a sudden stop. "We're Here!" Slash yelled. They all jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the emergency room section of Sato Hospital.

"Mr. O'Neil!" Tiger Claw yelled at the ginger bearded nurse that was at the front desk. He looked up and rushed over to them when he saw a very pale and sick turtle in Leatherheads arms. "Get a stretcher!" Mr. O'Neil yelled at another nurse as he ran towards his new patient. "What happened?" He asked as he was examining the poor turtle. "Oroku Saki." Leatherhead said with such venom in the back of his large throat. After hearing his name, Mr. O'Neil knew right away what had happened to this patient. He has had to deal with many young patients, just like Michelangelo, due to men like Saki. "What's his name?" The nurse addressed as Leatherhead lowered the small turtle into the stretcher, still holding onto one of his hands. "Michelangelo" He looked up. "Please... save him." Leatherhead addressed Mr. O'neill. "Of course sir, we will do everything we can." Nurse O'Neil said. "There are seven more children in similar condition as this little one. We are bringing them in now." Tiger Claw said to Mr. O'neill, he nodded and yelled for another nurse to get all the other available nurses to take care of the other children who were being brought in now by Leatherheads guards. Mr. O'Neil and another nurse rushed Michelangelo into an emergency room. The three of them watched as the other children were being carried in and being taken by the other nurses that are now rushing in, but Leatherhead was watching something else.

Tiger Claw, Y'gythgba, and Slash all looked over at their boss, he was still staring at the doors where they took Mikey through. "He will you know" Leatherhead glanced at Y'gythgba as she walked up to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "He will say yes to being a part of our family if you ask him. I know it's been a long time, but after what I saw in that horrible house, the way he looked at that picture of you two, and when he saw you for the first time in years..." She smiled up at him. "I know that he will say yes." Leatherhead let out a sigh and placed his right hand over his left shoulder that was being comforted by Y'gythgba. "Thank you, my friend. I hope you are right, I can't think of any other place he could be safe if not with us." He said while looking down at the white tiled floor.

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The four of them were now in the waiting room, it's been a while and Leatherhead's face showed worry. He has been bouncing his right leg up and down very fast, his hands folded, elbows on his knees, and his head resting on top of his crossed hands. He was very anxious, wanting to know Michelangelo's condition. Just then a nurse came into the waiting room, they all stood up quickly, it was Mr. O'Neil. "How is he?!" Leatherhead said with panic, trying desperately to compose himself. "He had a high fever and is severely malnourished. We have him on an IV drip and his fever has gone down. He has a lot of bruising, two cracked ribs, and there are clear signs of sexual and drug abuse. We have all the drugs out of his system, but he has some scarred tissue and severe tearing in his annal area. Clear signs of forced entry and rape. We will keep him here overnight and monitor him."

Leatherhead just stared down at the floor. He knew what he was in for, but to hear it out loud that his friend was in such a condition made him feel angry and guilty. Guilty that he couldn't save him from all the torment and abuse Michelangelo has been through and angry at Oroku Saki for doing this to him. Why couldn't he have gotten there sooner, Why!? Saki was gonna pay for what he has done to his friend. "Can we see him now?" Leatherhead and the others were now looking straight at nurse O'Neil. Mr. O'Neil bowed at them and gave a small smile. "Of course, he is stable now so you may see him. Follow me, I'll take you to him right now.