Chapter 1:
In a far way land there was a beautiful small village where not many people lived. The tiny cottages and huts stood on the grassy hills in a messy pattern but the most amazing sight could it offer was the flora.
Flowers of all colors bloomed in every corner their scent merging with the light breeze while the trees said goodbye to the autumn and had already welcomed spring.
One bright Friday morning a brown haired teenager with natural blond highlights, was walking down the street with his worn empty khaki backpack strapped to his back. He was heading to the village's only convenience store to begin working.
His name was Leonardo and he was only seventeen. He was really shy and quiet around adults but had no problem with youngsters. No one really knew anything about him other than he has three more brothers and his parents had died long ago.
As soon as the boy stepped in the door he immediately began to work. He organized the new shipment, stored the extra away and then he mopped the floors. He washed the windows afterwards and waited for his turn to the register.
It was a routine he had to get used to, when he got that job a few years before. He didn't mind; it paid enough for his siblings' food and helped to pass the time.
After his shift was done, the day was almost over. The boy, after picking up some supplies, headed for the village library. A kind old man was running it and he had been very helpful with his younger brothers who needed an older presence while he was at work. He was the one who taught them how to read and write and the only one who was a true friend for this small family.
As Leo walked in he got pummeled by three smaller children who all hugged him fiercely.
"Leo, you came back" the twins said smiling.
"Don't I always little ones?" Leo responded and squished all three of them to his chest. "Thank you again Mr. Hamato for taking care of them."
"It was nothing Leonardo, the children were very helpful putting up books and I believe they do enjoy story time."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah" the youngest said nodding with a cheeky grin clapping his hands repeatedly making Leo chuckle.
"Well I have to go, Mr. Hamato. See you on Monday." Leo said getting up tiredness already showing in his honey brown eyes.
"Goodbye Leonardo, have a nice weekend." He said waving at the kids as they started walking towards the exit.
When they got out of the library, Leo let Donnie and Raph down so they could walk on their own for a little bit. Mikey was already asleep on the crook of his neck with his blond hair in his face.
Strolling down they reached the crowded forest at the end of the street. Passing through the familiar narrow path they reached their small house. After a quick dinner, they all retreated to the attic where their beds were and tucking everyone in, Leo passed out on his own mattress.
The next day it was Saturday so Leo didn't have to work. He got up early as usual going through his morning bathroom routine and changed his clothes from yesterday.
Getting out of the bathroom, Leo saw a pair of big sea blue eyes staring at him back. Weird how the twins had so much alike like milk chocolate hair, pale skin and same body figure yet their eyes were so unlike. Don had Caribbean blue eyes as well as Mikey from their mum whilst Raph had honey brown eyes like Leo's from their dad.
Don got up from his bed and with his brother they quietly went down the stairs to start on breakfast. Leo brought firewood and heated up the stove so he could make some toast. Don took out some bread, cheese and some ham slices and set them on the table.
Making Donnie one, he left him to eat it and went back to the attic so he could wake the other two. Raph was first. Leo nudged him in his shoulder but the little guy squirmed and hid lower under his sheets.
The oldest rolled his eyes and poked him on his side. The brunette giggled but he still hadn't given any sign that he woke up. Then Leo poked harder and a soft laugh came out of the sheets. Tired honey brown eyes looked at him back with a questioning glare on them.
"Go sit with your brother and I'll be right there." Leo whispered
If waking Raphael was a challenge, waking Michelangelo was definitely unpredictable. The four year-old was sleeping in the most peculiar of ways; always moving around and getting tangled in his sheets while in the most awkward positions.
Untangling Mikey from the biggest knot he had ever made until now, Leo shook him whispering his name.
"Come on Mikey wake up" he said in his most soothing voice as he shook his shoulder. Mikey eyes then flickered open, blinking rapidly to get rid of any haziness as he yawned. He sat up and looked at Leo with a giant grin on his face which made his blue eyes sparkle. Leo then lifted him up and took him downstairs too.
Raph fixed his sandwich as he wanted and just waited for Leo to toast it. Leo put Mikey on a chair and began making him his toast while heating up Raph's. Making sure all of them had eaten he sat and had his own toast.
"So, what do you want to do today?" Leo asked them.
"We want to play in the garden please" Raph said jumping off his chair.
"Ok, but promise me that you will take a bath later." Leo said opening a cabinet and pulling out a torn sheet they used for sitting. He settled it near the river while the kids chased each other jumping and laughing.
It was truly a beautiful day.
Their parents' garden was brighter than sunlight today.
Leo's parents worked really hard to make it as beautiful as they could. There were fruit trees like peach, apple and orange trees and some flowers as well, such as roses of all colors, beautiful orchids and a lot of daisies all in which covered most of the field.
Their house however was older than the family itself. The three boys once had grandparents, from dad's side of the family who lived with them long ago. Neither Mikey, nor the twins had ever met them but Leo remembers them clearly.
Leo's grandmother was a kind, gentle woman who seemed to always make up the best adventure stories with a warm cup of tea and her blanket brought on her lap as a return. Their grandfather was a carpenter and a hard worker at his best. He taught Leo's father his art and Leo of course watched and learned too. He was actually as good as his father was and grandpa always praised them both.
Mikey suddenly jumped on Donnie and piggy-backed him around yelling, making Leo to shake his head as got up. He tried to catch them but he missed and they ran further. He was chasing them but they were running like horses. Raph then joined in going after Donnie while Leo went after Mikey.
'The little guy is faster than he looks', Leo thought panting lightly and running behind him once more. Finally he caught him and the pursuer squished his captive into a big hug. Looking over to Raph he saw that poor Donnie was also getting crashed by his twins' arms.
"Ok guys, now you definitely need a bath" Leo said smiling.
They groaned a bit but it was nothing, unlike other days. They ran into the house to bring towels and new clothes and headed towards the river.
A few meters away from their farmhouse there was a small pond. There is where they took their baths, because they haven't made a bathroom yet. Sure they had a toilet stall and a sink but the lake was definitely better. Leo brought sponges and some soap and helped the little guys to take off their clothes as they dipped in the shallow pond. He scrubbed each child with the sponge while they were playing.
Mikey wouldn't stop splashing his tiny arms around and got Leo all wet but he had a secret weapon to make him stop.
He reached Mikey's back with his finger dragging a line on his spine. The baby shuddered and started to get hazy when Leo repeated the move. He dried and dressed him right away letting him rest on the cool grass. It was cute when he curled like that, mirroring a cat.
Then he spotted the twins swimming around and diving out of sight, surfacing few seconds later. He let them play for a few more minutes but thence they had to return inside for lunch so he dried them and dressed them as well.
Raphie woke Mikey up and the four year-old pushed himself up with his small arms, trying not to fall as he took off to the farmhouse holding Raph's hand. Leo grabbed Donnie and placed him on his shoulders as they went after them to have lunch.
End Chapter 1
