"You did what!?" Michelangelo may have experienced the darker sides of life at a very young age, but something he never lost as a child was his manners and kindness. For the entire car ride, he had been very patient and respectful to his new family as they were sharing some of their best missions and adventures. But Mikey couldn't help but be amazed at what he just heard. "Haha! We were riding the avalanche." Slash tried not to laugh, but how could he with Mikey's head looking like it could explode any minute. "But how did you not get crushed!? I mean I'm happy you didn't, but still! It doesn't seem possible!" Mikey said, leaning a bit closer towards Slash who was sitting across from him. "Oh we were this close to kicking the bucket" Slash pitched two of his fingers together, having a tiny small space in between them to show how small their chances of survival actually were. "But Y'Gythgba is smart. She realized that even with our helicopter having no tail, all we needed to do was stay on the avalanche as long as possible." Slash turned his attention towards his other teammate, gesturing to her to continue the story. "The helicopter tail is used to steer left and right, but all we had to do was glide down the mountain. Though, we wouldn't have had to do that if somebody hadn't given the bird to the guy with the bazooka!" Y'Gythgba was glaring daggers at Slash.

He put his hands up in defense, "Hey, at least we survived the crash." He tried to defend. "You broke your arm." She countered with an annoyed look. Mikey's intrigued expression turned into worry. He looked down at Slash's arm and could see a very visible scar line running from his forearm down to his wrist. "Don't cha worry about me squirt, it doesn't hurt anymore." Mikey looked up at Slash's face. "Besides, he got a real good punishment from Tiger Claw." Y'Gythgba began to laugh. "Uugh, don't remind me. I had to clean both of the sento's and onsen's for a Month!" Slash threw his head back for dramatic effect. "Be glad I did not make it two." Tiger Claw was leaning back into his seat with his eyes closed, trying to get some rest. "What's an onsen and sento?" Mikey tilted his head to the side. Leatherhead spoke up, "An onsen, my friend, is a hot spring where one baths publicly and is mainly used for relaxation. While a sento is a more private bath house, which serves as a more practical need for daily hygiene." Mikey nodded, he liked learning new things from his friend.

He put his hands in his sweatshirt pocket, but quickly gasped when he realized he's missing something. He was tugging at the soft orange material around his body and when he could not find what he was looking for, he began to frantically search around his seat. "Michelangelo, what is wrong?" Leatherhead grew worried. "I-I can't find it." "Find what, my friend?" His eyes were moving around the space of the van so quickly they were almost a blur. "Our picture! The only photo of us together as kids. I think I dropped it somewhere and-and I lost it!" Mikey's breaths grew faster and quicker. "There is no need to panic." Mikey turned his head to Tiger Claw, who was reaching into his black vest and pulled out the picture! Tiger Claw leaned over towards the young turtle and handed him the photo. Mikey quickly accepted it and held it against his heart, eyes closed, and his breathing became more even. "You dropped it on the ground when we were taking you to the hospital." When he caught his breath he opened his eyes and stared at Tiger Claw. "Thank you." He looked at the photo then up at Leatherhead. He smiled and realized that he has not told them something that needs to be said. "I..." He looked up at the three mutants sitting across from him. His one word gathering the attention of all of them. "I haven't thanked you all properly. I was so caught up, so overwhelmed with seeing Leatherhead that I never thanked you guys for saving me." "You don't need to-" Tiger Claw tried to speak up, but was cut off by Mikey's persistence. "Yes, I do. You...risked your lives to save me. You got me out of that house, out of the hands of...him." He shivered. Just remembering the Shredder was difficult, let alone say his name."You fought to protect me." Tears started forming in his eyes. "A 'Thank You' isn't enough. I don't know what else to say that could show you how grateful I am for your bravery, your strength, and your kindness." Leatherhead wrapped his arm around Mikey's small form, being careful with the bandages around his ribs.

"Your sincerity in your words is more than enough. It is our job to protect and put our lives on the line to ensure the safety of others." Y'Gythgba spoke. "Thank you for trusting us little man." Slash spoke up. "I was hoping you wouldn't be scared when you saw me." Mikey wore a confused expression on his face. "What do you mean?" He asked curiously. "I'm a giant, six foot, two hundred pound mutant snapping turtle. How could I not scare you?" Slash looked to the side so that no one could see the sadness in his face. Slash didn't like the way he looked. He thought with the line of work that he's in he would scare all the kids he swore to save and protect more than they already were. It's happened before, it broke his heart. Slash loved kids, it's the only reason he joined the clan. And when he was told that they were going to rescue Mikey, he felt he wasn't cut out for it. That he would only make things worse. But, in his moment of sadness, Slash did not expect to feel two tiny lime green arms wrap around his center. Mikey had gotten out of his seat and made his way to Slash, enveloping him in a hug. "I'm sorry if I looked like I was scared of you. I'm just... scared of people. I don't have good experiences with them, not anymore. I've only known to fear them." He takes in a deep breath. "I'm not afraid of you though, because you've shown me that you are a good person. And I trust you." Mikey tightened his grip around him, wanting him to know that he trusts him and that he doesn't fear him. The last thing Slash expected was to earn this level of trust with Mikey. He thought with his appearance, he would never be able to create any type of bond with the little guy. But, he realized that Mikey isn't trusting him or anyone by how they look. He's trusting him because of his character and his actions. Slash placed both of his large arms around the smaller turtle, carefully avoiding his injuries. "Thank you...for your trust, Mikey." Mikey looked up and saw a single tear falling down Slash's turquoise colored cheek. He went on his tiptoes and gently wiped the tear from his cheek. Slash clasped Mikey's small hand that was near his face, "You're my little brother now. And as your big brother I won't let anyone hurt you ever again. I promise." Mikey let out a light sob that was filled with joy. "I've never had a brother before *sniff* t-thank you." It was now Slash's turn to wipe the tears that fell down his new little brother's cheeks. "Which means, I'm your big sister." Y'Gythgba said as she was enjoying this beautiful moment. Mikey turned his head towards her and gave her a big smile. "Really!?" Y'Gythgba nodded and was gently tackled into her chair by Mikey. "This is awesome! I have a sister! You're like the coolest person I've ever met! "Hey! What am I? Chopped liver?" Slash said as Mikey giggled at his direction. "You're cool too." Mikey gasped as he then turned his attention back to his new sister, "Can you teach me how to fight?! Oh please teach me how to kick people's shells like you!" Nobody in the van could hold back their laughter. Mikey was just too adorable. "Haha! Once you are fully recovered, I will definitely teach you how to fight and defend yourself. You have my word."

Mikey beamed up at her, then turned his attention to Tiger Claw who was now wide awake, his eyes were on the small turtle. Mikey let go of his new sister and slowly sat next to Tiger Claw, keeping a small, but fair distance between them. "I'm...sorry." His words confused Tiger Claw and everyone else in the van. Tiger Claw spoke up, "Why are you apologizing?" Mikey tried, but couldn't look him in the eye. "Because I shouldn't have- I- *sigh* I shouldn't have done... that to you. I- you told me not to and I did it anyway and you were only there to protect me and I made you uncomfortable and I just!" Mikey was becoming very frustrated. He didn't say it out loud, but everyone knew what Mikey was referring too, even Leatherhead knew because Tiger Claw informed him of what happened while in the Shredder's house. Mikey hates what he did to Tiger Claw, kissing his neck and making the situation they were in even more difficult. "I'm a terrible person." His breathing became shaky. "You used your body to shield me from all the bullets." He wrapped his arms around himself, squeezing the sides of his shell. "I wish I could take it b-back, but I can't and *hic*-and How Are You Not Angry At Me!? *Gasp!* Mikey felt a large paw gently placed on his head. He didn't need to look up to see who it was. This fur, the same fur that helped him keep warm, the same fur that protected him from his abuser, and the same fur that belongs to the mutant who should be angry at him. So why is he not yelling at him!? "I am not angry and don't be sorry." "But-" "Zip" Tiger Claw pinched two of his own fingers and moved them across the young cubs mouth, pretending to zip Mikey's lips shut so he could finish. "You did what you did because you would have gotten in trouble with the Shredder, am I wrong?" Mikey shook his head in response. His lips still zipped. "You did not want to get hurt again, you wanted to survive, and I could never be angry with someone who does anything necessary to survive. Especially at a young cub who is as strong, smart, and kind hearted as you." Tiger Claw saw that Mikey was still zipping his lips and motioned his fingers to unzip them. Mikey freed his lips from their zipped state and smiled up at him. He was happy. Happy that Tiger Claw wasn't angry at him and happy that he understood why he did what he did. "Thank you." Tiger Claw patted the top of his head, receiving a little giggle from the small turtle. "You're welcome, little one."

Mikey carefully made his way back to his seat next to Leatherhead. He leaned into his gator friends side then quickly straightened himself when he had the most shelltastic idea! "Oo! Since I've heard stories from all of you, why don't I tell you guys a story too!?" Leatherhead looked down at his bubbly friend, "What story is that, Michelangelo?" Hoping it wouldn't be something too embarrassing from their childhood. "It's the story of how we first met!"

He spoke too soon.

Everyone else in the van was now very curious and interested by this story. "Is that okay? That I tell them the story?" Mikey didn't want to upset Leatherhead so he wanted to ask his permission to tell his new family, who were also Leatherheads colleagues, the story of their first encounter. Leatherhead sighed. He didn't like many parts of himself from the past. He's changed a lot since then, but is still angry with what he used to be and how he acted. But, he loves Michelangelo and knows this is a perfect way for him to be more open and comfortable around his new family. Plus, he's not the same person he was before. He's changed for the better and that has a lot to do with Michelangelo. "You do not need my permission. But yes, you can tell them." Leatherhead smiled. Everyone's attention was now on Mikey. He shifted himself at an angle so that he was facing everyone in the van, "Alright, so this is the story on how me and Leatherhead became friends." Mikey smiled up at him, "Best Friends."