Ok, this story is based off of the 07' movie verse. My first one in the 07' movie verse actually, unless you want to count that one-shot I wrote.

Anyways, drastic changes came over the family during Leo's absence and after his return. It also seems that the whole, 'Winter's Incident,' actually had a strong impact on a certain turtle. (Cough, Raph, cough.) I also wanted to explore Don's feelings towards all of this. He always seems to be the one less focused on when it comes to the bonds held within the family. I'm wondering about how he felt about Leo leaving them. His rage will be seen, I warn you. In other news, Mikey's jealous that he hardly gets anytime to spend with his eldest brother since Leo returned home. Warning: Strange food.

Now in the case of the blue banded turtle, well he's dealing with his own problems. He was a year late coming home but why was he? If you ask me, there's something he's hiding. This story will include a possible explanation. Or at least, as possible as my crazy mind can think it.

Well, here we go. Type fingers, type!

I don't own TMNT.

Leo sighed and tried to focus on his meditation but it was useless. The memory kept coming back. He had returned a little earlier than usual from a training run when he overheard a talk in the kitchen.

"Master Splinter, I'm just so tired," Don said.

"My son, you have much to learn but now that Leonardo has returned you may drop these responsibilities you have rested on your shoulders. Allow your brother to shoulder these burdens now," Splinter said with a sigh.

Splinter, Mikey and Don entered the dojo as Leo opened his eyes from his mediation and Raph backed away from his punching bag. Leo took a deep breath and almost moved to stand up when a hand was placed in front of him. He glanced up.

Raphael.

The red banded turtle had a small smile on his face and Leo returned it while taking his hand, allowing his younger brother to help him to his feet.

"Thanks Raph," Leo said.

"No problem bro," Raph said, "You might want to be a little tougher on them today, Don's been slacking and Mikey's just being… Mikey."

Leo nodded, "I noticed and you?"

"That's really for you and Master Splinter to say," Raph said with a shrug.

"Well truthfully I think you're excelling," Leo said, his posture and gaze speaking the truth, "It won't be long until you're finished with your training as well."

"I'm not going to be sent to Central America too am I?"

Leo shrugged, "Not sure, probably not. It's really up to Master Splinter though."

"Ok," Raph said turning around, "Um Leo?"

"Hmm?"

"Talk to him?"

"Of course I will Raph."

Raph smiled but hid it as Splinter called them to line up for evening practice. Leo walked and stood next to their sensei.

"Now we will begin," the elderly rat said.

"Don you're holding your bo staff too far out," Leo advised as he watched his little brothers move through katas.

Raph groaned, "Why can't I get this right!?"

"Let me see," Leo said.

Raph ran through the kata and faltered again, then growled when he couldn't get it right.

"No need to blow up Raphael," Leo said with amusement, "Here, simply tuck your elbow in about 5 degrees closer to you."

Raph made the adjustment and ran through the kata perfectly.

"Excellent performance Raphael," Master Splinter said as he walked pat his 2nd oldest son.

As he walked away Raph and Leo shared a secret smile. Yes, ever since the Winter's incident, time had seemed to fold over on itself. The two eldest were back to being best friends and just…brothers. Their family and friends were amazed at how in sync they had become. They were the best tag team fighters, able to sense when the other was feeling poorly, emotionally and physically even if they hid it well from the others, and they were hanging out now that they found more time on their hands.

Leo no longer trained with them, he taught them. He often taught Raph a few tricks to learn certain katas faster. Mikey often gazed upon them with envy. Raph was stealing all the time Leo had! The youngest turtle was jealous, he even often yelled it out loud.

Splinter looked over them both with pride. One of his long time wishes was for his oldest sons to become close once again as they had once been as younger children.

As for the tech loving turtle, he just gazed with confusion and a bit of anger. Leo and Raph, mostly Raph, told them about their fight on the rooftops before Leo was captured and Don would admit that he had the same line of thoughts.

One year…

It was only supposed to be one year.

But then one year turned into two. Two years they managed to live on without their eldest brother. Raph had been furious and that anger grew even worse when Leo finally returned. Don would admit he felt the same, he wanted to yell and rant at Leo. Don had been the leader in Leo's place. With Raph running around as the Nightwatcher he wouldn't step up so the responsibility fell to the purple clad genius. For two years he tried to take Leo's place. He had to do everything and deal with the emotions. He had to try to banish Mikey's nightmares, he tried to get his older brother to see reason. He patched Raph up when he came home with dozens of injuries and tried to get answers out of him but never could.

He looked after Splinter's health, making sure he stayed strong with his aging body. Don did everything and hoped Leo would start doing it all again when he returned after a year. But he didn't come home until a year later. There were times during those years he hated Leo. He was supposed to come home and take care of them but he didn't. Two years…

"Donatello focus!" Leo yelled as Don broke out of his thoughts and caught Mikey's swinging nunchuck.

He unfortunately didn't see the other one and was sent spiraling across the room.

Splinter nodded to Leo and the blue banded turtle turned to his brothers, "That's quite enough, practice is over guys."

They all put away their weapons and walked to kneel before their father and older brother.

"I will leave the grading to you Leonardo," Splinter said.

"Thank you, sensei," Leo said.

Splinter smiled as he walked out of the dojo, technically Leonardo and he were equal ninja masters now and he had to admit Leonardo had exceeded further than he had in mystic training, but yet the turtle was determined to always remind Splinter that he was still his teacher and always would be. Splinter stepped back to listen in on the comments Leonardo said to his brothers.

Leo took a deep breath, "First thing's first," he thought.

He turned first to his youngest brother, "Michelangelo, it appears you have as much energy as ever. Excellent speed in that final strike."

Mikey smiled. Yes! He loved being complimented by one of his heroes.

"Unfortunately," Leo said quietly, "I must say you could use more patience and work in silence."

Mikey sighed, he knew it was too good to be true.

"Of course if your speed keeps building like it does your opponents won't have time to counterattack. Since it's your best attribute my only suggestion is that you continue to build up that speed. Of course being so naturally athletic I don't think it'll be a problem."

Mikey looked up to see Leo's smile.

He matched it and jumped to his feet in a little random dance, "Yay!"

Leo let him celebrate a long minute before he cleared his throat. Mikey kneeled again smiling sheepishly. Leo turned to his next brother. He could tell something was bothering the purple banded turtle but he wasn't in perfect sync with him like he was with Raph so he could only guess.

"Donatello," Leo said slowly.

Don closed his eyes, expecting a long lecture.

"Your moves are slow and without constancy. I suggest you remain here and train an extra hour."

An extra hour!

Don's eyes flew open, that voice echoing as Leo moved on to Raph.

"Raphael," Leo sated calmly with an emotionless expression.

Raph stared at the floor nervously. Sure, Leo was fair, he knew, but criticism hurts when it comes directly from your idol. The red banded turtle didn't want to lose his temper after the past few months had gone by smoothly. They hadn't had any fights at all and had immediately reconnected as they had many years ago when they were little.

"I suggest you-"

Raph clamped his eyes shut, he would not lose his temper, no matter what.

"You go try to get some sleep. You were training very hard today and look exhausted. Your movements are very rapid and skillful. Your strength and speed is growing steadily."

Raph gasped, had Leo really just said that?

The turtles met each other's eyes before Leo took a side long glance at Mikey and Don. He cleared his throat and spoke once again, very clearly so Mikey and Don would hear.

"I feel you'll soon be joining me up here Raphael. You have the skill to be a true ninja master."

"You mean Raph's going to be finishing his training soon too!?" Mikey asked then his voice grew sad, "Does this mean he'll be sent away like you?"

Raph looked to Leo because he had the same question.

"I spoke with Master Splinter while you all were sparring, no he will not be sent anywhere. He'll finish his training here in New York City, more specifically right here in this dojo."

"Raph that is so cool!" Mikey shouted, happy he wouldn't have to say goodbye to a brother as soon as he got another one back.

"Raphael, at noon tomorrow come here to speak with Master Splinter and I. We'll discuss you finishing your training. Now, Raphael and Michelangelo you two are dismissed. Donatello, I'll remain here to watch over your training."

Raph and Mikey got up and headed to the exit. Mikey kept going on and on about how amazing it was that Raph would be finishing his training and becoming a ninja master! Splinter by then had moved to the living room.

Well this is hopefully a good start. I hope...

Chapter two will be out very soon.

Reviews make the world go round!

~Moonsetta