Disclaimer: I don't own the turtles

this is set after the final battle with the shredder

Leo was once again in the dojo training. He was always in there since their last battle with the shredder where they almost died. The phone rang, but he didn't stop. It rang again. Mikey popped his head around the corner into the room. He starred at Leo while biting his lower lip and shifting his weight back and forth. When he did speak he blurted it out in one breath. "Alice is on her way over!"

With a flash he was gone before Leo could explode for being disturbed. Leo didn't even look up or stop in the slightest. Nor did he stop when he heard the layer's door open, or when he heard the sound of soft footsteps drawing closer.

"Leo?"

He hesitated in his movements, but only for a second.

"Leo we need to talk."

He didn't look at her.

"Please. It's been months now and you haven't changed."

He tried to block her out.

"I can't take much more of you pushing me away! You're so angry and distant."

He went on with his training.

"Stop!" she screamed at him. He didn't.

Frustration was coursing through her body. Grabbing a katana that was hanging from the wall she jumped out in front of Leo and blocked his latest strike against the air. If he wouldn't acknowledge her she would make him. As their katanas clashed together, a low growl escaped Leo's mouth.

"Tell me what's wrong," Alice said as she blocked his next move.

"Nothing is wrong with me. Why can't you get that through your head!" he bellowed back. By this time the others had come to see what all the commotion was about, even Splinter.

"You're not the same. I want the Leo I fell in love with back!"

Leo couldn't control his emotions any longer. "I'm still the same person!" He lashed out at Alice bring down his katana with all his force behind it. It was too much for her. The katana she held fell to the floor with a clang just as she dropped to her knees. His blade had left a deep gash across her side.

"No. NO! Alice I'm sorry. I lost control," he was down beside her in a heartbeat. All the anger pouring out of him just like the blood poured from her side.

"Stay away from me," Alice managed to mutter as the pain threatened to take over. "Donny could you help me?" she asked looking over at the silent group that had just watched the last events unfold.

"Keep pressure on that," Donny nodded to her wound as he picked her up with ease.

"Leonardo, follow me." Splinter had not said a word though the entire fight. He just stood and observed his oldest son's actions. He had been hoping that over time Leo could let go what was bothering him, but after watching him lose control like that this hope was gone. Leo followed his master into his room with no objections. "Sit my son," Splinter said closing the door behind him. "You will be leaving tonight to go find the ancient one in Japan. Maybe he will be able to help you get back on the path you have strayed from."

"But father I…"

Splinter cut him off and continued as if he never spoke. "Go and pack what you need. Then you may say a short goodbye to your brothers."

"Yes sensei." There was no point arguing. In ten minutes time Leo was ready to go. He dropped his bags by the door and tried to prepare himself to face the others. Raph, Donny, and Mikey were sitting around the kitchen table. Heads bent low they were talking in hushed whispers. They went silence when they noticed Leo standing in the doorway. "Splinter told us," stated Mikey.

"I guess this is goodbye then," replied Leo. "Where's Alice at?" Leo directed the question at Don, but it was Raph that answered.

"She's resting in my room."As Leo made to leave the kitchen Raph added, "She doesn't want to see you."

"Right," he nodded. "I'll just go then. Tell her… tell her I love her."

He walked away from his brothers, picked up his bags at the door, and walked out into the sewer beyond. Not once did he look back.