A/N: Hi Everybody! This is my first TMNT fic I've put up on here, although not my first fanfic on here or the first TMNT one that I've planned, so please tell me anything that might be useful. I'm trying to capture their mannerisms and thoughts and the feel of writing them. But I've never written anything for really BIG shows/comics/movies/books/etc, that have HUGE fan bases with die-hard fans. I've sorta come from a small show with a few die-hard fans, me being one of them. But enough of my gibber gabber! Lets start this thing!

This is flashbacks

'This is thinking.'

This is regular, third person narrative

"And this is speech"

Criticism is welcome, just please be gentle. I bruise easily. XD Also, this is based BEFORE the fourth movie, or the TMNT movie.

Disclaimer: I don't own Leo, April, Donnie, Casey, Raph, Master Splinter, Mikey, Leatherhead, Professor Honeycutt, Bishop, Shredder, Karai... yeah, you get the point. XD

Chapter 1: Remember Us

Leonardo placed a bottle in his bag and stopped, chancing another look around him. He still couldn't believe what he was about to do, or what had been asked of him. The blue banded turtle gulped as his eyes skimmed the room in a last, fleeting glimpse; a childish part of him silently praying that there was something more that he needed, just so he could stay with his family longer. But he would do as his Sensei told of him; he would not go against the elderly rat's wishes. After all, his father only wanted the best for him and the family, so there must be a special reason for his departure. Splinter's earlier words came to him then.

"Leonardo, to further your training and leadership skills, you must travel to Central America."

"But, why Sensei? How can I protect and lead my brothers if I'm gone?"

"Ah, my son, but right now your brothers are not the ones that need guidance. You are young, and are already troubled with great responsibility on your shoulders. But to better yourself as ninja, as well as a leader, you must first know how to handle yourself."

"I... I'm afraid I don't exactly understand, Master."

"It is alright my son, for you will learn in time, and with great patience. But for now, I feel deeply that to better yourself, as one and as a team leader, you must journey off."

Leonardo just sat there in silence, letting this new information sink in, before answering with a final bow, "As you wish, Father."

Gasping for air that he had not known he hadn't breathed, the eighteen year old hastily wiped at his brown eyes as tears formed at the corners. He would not cry. This was for the best. He could do this. He would do this. With one last shaking inhale, the eldest turtle grabbed his pack and crossed the room without another thought. Leo closed the door to the room that had been his for the last year since the Foots' attack; pausing only for a split second as he heard the gentle, reassuring click of it being shut.

"So, um... yer really goin' then, huh?"

The sound of his brother's voice startled him more then it should have, but he didn't let it show as he turned to face the other. His gaze drifted immediately to Raphael's eyes; golden orbs starring into his own seriously. He couldn't even look his brother in the eye for more then a few moments as he muttered softly, "Yeah. I… I guess I am."

The hothead just stared at his older brother for a moment, not sure what to feel about the news. Raph blunk as numb emotions rose up and bubbled at the thought of Leo leaving them.

'Leaving them... God, how that sounded! It sounded as if he was abandoning them! 'Yet,' Raph thought for a moment, 'That's exactly what Leo is doing.'

The thought alone boiled up a white hot fury that blinded him for a moment. But, seeing the look on his brother's face interrupted his anger. The red banded ninja opened his mouth to speak, but found nothing. In frustration and awkwardness, Raph placed a dark green hand on the back of his neck, rubbing it back and forth.

Leo finally found the strength to raise his head up to look at his younger sibling, who was nervously rubbing his hand against the back of his neck; just like the hothead to get quiet and awkward when he was leaving. Smiling to himself, Leonardo felt a pit of warmth in his stomach at the familiar sight, slowly soaking in his brother's form. He was determined to have his family's images embedded into his brain; remember their voices, their eyes, their individual personalities. He felt his light brown eyes glaze over slightly as he thought of the journey ahead, and how he had somehow always known that they would all be going their different ways. But, he had never imagined that the time would come so soon... or that he would be the first to go.

The two stood in awkward silence before Leo cleared his throat, thinking to himself how the small noise had sounded as loud as a gun shot, "Well, I guess this is goodbye then."

"Yeah... right."

"Until we meet again, little brother."

Raphael sighed and gave a muffled curse as he felt the sting of tears. He smirked softly as he collected himself and held out his hand to his brother, "See ya later, Fearless."

Leonardo gripped the red one's hand and gave it a firm shake as he gave a curt nod, smiling back at the other, "Sooner then you think, hothead."

The red banded turtle gave a relaxed chuckle before giving his older brother one last look. He then turned and walked away, hoping to make it to his room before the tears finally over took him. Raphael didn't have to make it very far; he looked behind him to see an empty hallway. Taking a gulping breath, he was about to open his door when he heard something. A sort of choked back noise. Frowning to himself, he kept moving to the end of the hallway, hearing the noise clearer then before and in faster rhythm. He glanced at the entrance of his smartest brother's bedroom before softly peering in through the crack left by the open door. He felt his heart quicken at the sight and he quietly pushed the object aside so that he could see better. Although there really was no need for stealth as the two didn't notice their elder brother's form in the doorway.

Raph bit his bottom lip hard as he saw his two younger brothers crying in each others arms on the bed. Well, it was more Mikey sobbing hard and profusely into Donnie's arms as said purple loving terrapin tried to comfort youngest brother. But the second eldest could see the glimmer of tears running down Donnie's face and gently litter the top of Mikey's head as he spoke in a soothing voice to the younger terrapin.

"I-I don't understand! W-Why d-does he hafta leave us? Did we do something wrong? Di-Did I do something wrong?" Michelangelo asked in stuttered and choppy sentences, hiccuping a couple times as he spoke. His wonderful baby blue eyes were red and bloodshot from the recent cry fest as he looked up at his brainy brother in worry and obvious pain.

"No Mikey, it's not like that at all," Donatello whispered gently, his voice not too badly broken. "It's not because of us, Mikey. He's going so he can train to be a better leader."

"He can still train for that here with us!"

"Mike, it-it's not the same. He... I... Master Splinter said he has to go in order to complete some form of leader training. It's like when he went to go train with the Ancient One two years ago, remember?"

"I guess s-so. But... I-I just... I mean..."

"I know Mikey," Donnie muttered, gathering his baby brother even tighter in his arms, and hearing his own breath hitch at the thought, "You don't have to say it. I know."

-x-x-x-x-

Leonardo stood in the middle of the lair, staring around at what had become his home. He mentally took photos of every little detail, every little crevice, every little piece of furniture and space that they had in the abandoned building. Every little piece of his home. From the nearly spotless kitchen, to Don's new lab, to Mikey's entertainment system, to the dojo.

The sight of their training room reminded him of his newest task and how far he would have to travel. How hard he would have to train if he wanted to come back to his brothers soon.

Exhaling deeply, Leonardo was about to knock on his Master's door when he heard the elderly rasp of, "You may enter," and marveling for the thousandth time how their Sensei could feel their presence before them even making themselves known. The eldest turtle slid open the door and shut it behind him before walking up to Master Splinter's desk and kneeling before it. Head quickly bowing in respect, he looked up at his father figure and mentor, "I have packed my things, Sensei. I shall leave at first light."

The gray rat looked at his eldest pupil with a heavy heart; his mind racing with both thoughts of a worried parent and a concerned teacher. He knew it was normal for all parents to feel apprehensive of their children going out in the world, and he also knew that this was the best way for Leonardo to gain some important life skills as well as training for whatever the world would put his family up against next. Looking down at the teenager, he could feel the uneasiness that enveloped the young ninja as well as the turmoil that battled within the other's presence. "Very well, my student. And do not worry; we shall be here awaiting your return." The ninja master stood up from his spot behind his desk, watching as Leonardo did the same. The rat came around and stared up at his student, suddenly feeling his parenting emotions overwhelm him, as he gave the blue banded turtle a final hug, "Safe journey, my son."

"I will miss you, Father," Leo whispered, trying to keep his emotions from pouring out on that very spot. He gave a final bow to his master and turned to leave the room. He was about to close the door when he heard his name be called.

"Leonardo."

The oldest looked back at his Sensei, "Yes Master?"

"The world is full of trouble, my son. Deep and dark, it lurks in the shadows; and so must we, to try and stop it from praying on those that are innocent and helpless. But do not get too carried away in that of which you are trying to achieve. Take some time to stop and think of what is most important."

"Hai, Sensei. I will," Leo replied, bowing his head, awaiting his cue to leave. What he heard next was not what he had expected.

"All in all, do not forget to remember us, my son."

A/N: Well, what do you think? It only takes a minute to click that button and review, so please do so! I'd like to get some feedback on what I can do better!