The Balance Of Brothers
A/N: So, here goes my first attempt at a Ninja Turtles Fanfic based upon the 2003 universe. I'm not really sure where I am going with this one but I've written the first chapter and I'd love to hear reviews (please be nice) and I'll decide based upon them whether I continue this one. Rated T for now. R&R please :) Everdream24
Disclaimer: I don't own them and probably never will :(
The rain pours down, bouncing and rebounding of his skin, travelling in rivulets down his chest, his arms, his legs before falling gently to the floor creating an ever expanding puddle. It feels good. Relaxing. The rain is constant, dependable and reliable.
A deep breath. Then another, reaching a state of meditation that only masters of the arts have ever sampled. Listening to the pitter-patter of rain creates a sonar image in his mind; he sees everything without opening his eyes. The once light blue mask has become a deep dark blue, his shell sending precipitation glancing off in all different directions, the strong wind throwing his bandanna tails out behind him. And yet he remains immovable and strong. Just as a leader should be, not hurt by harsh words or accusations, not afflicted by wounds and injuries inflicted by those around him and certainly not affected by emotions caused by the presence of one female ninja. Sticks and stones.
The silence is broken by a cell ringtone, an ordinary ring, no customization, no personalization. Professional as always. His meditation is lost, all senses returning to their normal state the plane of existence that had been so within his grasp now gone, emptiness in its place.
But no matter how strong a leader should be, he was still susceptible to emotions as he was, after all, only human. Or in this case, mutant turtle.
"Yeah?" Simple, short.
"Leo, It's Donny. We were getting worried about you bro. I mean the last time you were out on your own for so long…well it didn't end so well" the young voice on the shell cell softens Leonardo's features and tone. The worry is plain to hear, and the memories of Leo's face off with the Foot and the Shredder across those rooftops all those years ago were still as painful. Windows were not meant to fly through. Donnie's voice drifted out from the cell, pulling Leo out of his painful reverie.
"Leo? Bro? You there?"
"Yeah Donnie, I'm here don't worry. I'm sorry I didn't mean to stay out so long, just the fight with Raph and tension in the lair, it was too much I needed to get away and cool down. Shell knows we only need one hot-head in our family" Leo hastily explained. Making his siblings worry was not the intention, in fact as leader of their band of brothers the objective was precisely the opposite; keep all members healthy and happy at all times, even at the sacrifice of personal health or happiness. That was the lesson Master Splinter had drilled into him when he was given the responsibility of leadership upon their sixteenth birthday. Although if he ever told his bro's that they were sure to disagree. In fact, that was the cause of the argument in the first place.
14 hours ago
The building exploded, throwing them all into the air to land painfully upon the hard asphalt. Abrasions and bruises littered their green bodies, blood slowly making its way down their bodies. But they were not done yet. Dozens of Foot ninja advanced upon the four brothers, who bravely stood their ground, weapons twirling and glinting in the moonlight. Leonardo's hands shook only slightly, but the signs of exhaustion and blood loss were clear as day in the others, Mikey's legs shaking uncontrollably, Donnie's breathing labored and heavy, beads of red tinged sweat lazily tracing their path down Raph's face. This was not a fight that they could win, not without the sacrifice of one or more of his brothers lives and that was not something Leo was willing to do. His eyes searched for escape routes, a way to get past the Foot. But they were surrounded; blades on every side wielded by black-clad ninja trained by one of the most vicious, malevolent and generally evil men in the world- Oroku Saki A.K.A The Shredder.
'Thank shell he hasn't decided to show at this little party…yet' thought Leo, glancing back to the flaming inferno that engulfed the old warehouse that the Foot had been using to make trade deals with all the major New York street gangs. At first it had seemed like a good idea, a way to kill two birds with one stone. But they had underestimated their strength and were now paying for it.
"Guys! We need an exit!" Leo shouted above the roar of the flames and the ricochet sound of metal on metal as the Foot began to attack on mass.
"No way bro, we can take these idiots. We don't back down from a fight. Or at least I don't" Raph angrily yelled back, narrowly avoiding decapitation and sending a swift kick to the ninja's stomach in retribution.
"We stay, and we all die. I don't know about you Raph, but I will not be held responsible for the death of our brothers. We are retreating and leaving. NOW!" his patience was stretched thin, a thread fraying in the middle. His brothers, his family was in danger. Without them, he was nothing, he could not, would not, lose them because of his inability to lead, or Raphael's stubbornness and pride. "Now Raph!" He shouted to his red-banded brother, performing a skilled roundhouse kick sending several Foot flying, and turned, fleeing away from the scene of their immense fight, but not before ensuring that all three were following close behind.
The Foot ninja fell into hot pursuit until sirens filled the air, splitting the uneasy silence that had descended like a bolt of lightning splits the night sky. The remaining conscious Foot ninja disappeared into the shadows, many collecting unconscious Foot members on the way. By the time the Police and Fire department arrived, all traces of the ninja's battle had been devoured by the ravenous orange flames.
They flew over the rooftops without speaking a word, the only noise coming from their ragged breaths as they raced home, tired, exhausted, beaten and ashamed. The eventual darkness of the sewer and the warmth and light of their lair relaxed them but also reminded them of the weariness in their bones. Michelangelo and Donatello collapsed onto the couch, catching their breath and struggling to keep their eyes open. Leonardo and Raphael stood, staring each other down both too stubborn to admit defeat. Donnie eventually hauled himself up and to his lab and returned with armfuls of bandages and other medical supplies he would need to stitch both himself and his siblings up. The silence that followed was hard to endure, full of tension and anger like a mouse trap ready to spring. In the end it was Raph to dealt the first blow, unable to stand the complete silence any longer, but still so full of rage and adrenaline he felt ready to burst.
"You're a coward. You know that, right Leo? You ran away. You ran away from a fight you know we could've won and worse, you made ME run away. WHO THE SHELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE LEO? Who d-"
"I think I'm your older brother and your leader, Raphael. I think I'm the one who gives the orders here, the one with the plan and you, Raph, you follow those orders, you follow that plan TO THE LETTER, whether or not it interferes with your personal vendettas. It's my responsibility to protect you, no matter what. " Leo interrupted with a snarl, exhaustion fueling his anger and his anger giving him strength. "You think I like running away, don't you think I'd rather stay and fight and give Shredder and the Foot the ass kicking they deserve? Of course I would but, unlike you, I put the safety of others, the safety of OUR FAMILY, before my own pride and ego" The red mist was descending upon Leonardo, his tightly clenched fists shaking with uncharacteristic rage. He had very nearly had a member of his family hurt and that scared him more than the Shredder or Hun ever could.
"You are so smug. So far up your own shell you can't see the truth." Raphael seethed
'Who the SHELL does this guy think he is?! Sayin' I don't care for my own families safety' The red banded Ninja thought. Although this fight was, for the moment, purely verbal, the blows still stung just as much. "No one needs you Leo, not us, not Splinter or April or any of them. You're a coward for running away like that." Raph replied in a low threatening snarl.
"Is it cowardice to recognize when one is facing defeat? Is it the coward's way to put the lives of others before their own pride, Raphael?" A deep, calm and authoritative voice asked from the shadows, silencing the room once more. Master Splinter stepped out into the light, casting a disapproving and probing glance over the four brothers, examining wounds both physical and mental with a single momentary look. As their father and sensei it was his job and his responsibility to ensure his sons remained unharmed. It appeared he had failed in that duty this night. Slowly the giant rat stroked his beard, contemplating the emotions so obvious they seemed to add a sour tang to the air- or at least, more than the sewers already did. Splinter turned to see the retreating forms of his two youngest sons, who evidently did not wish to get involved in the fight that was obviously brewing.
"Leonardo, It is your responsibility to protect your brothers from harm and maintain balance in this family-"
"Sensei, I try but it would be a lot easier if Raph-" Leo interjected attempting to defend his honour and pride, gesturing towards his hot-headed sibling
"DO NOT INTERUPT LEONARDO." Splinter snapped, his patience reaching its end. "Your responsibility as the eldest is to protect this family and yet every other day there are arguments taking place, scuffles. This is not the harmonious balance that I expect from this family or from you. Your mind is often elsewhere these days, your kata's are becoming sloppy and your meditation is unfocused. You must do better." Splinter continued, not missing the sideways glance that Raphael gave Leonardo, a small victorious smirk of delight spreading across his face as he listened to the 'perfect son' receive his lecture.
"RAPHAEL! Do not think I have forgotten your part in this. Your temper and stubbornness are dangerous and often lead to harmful situations. You are rash and brusque. You believe that all fights can be won with brute strength and the solution to all problems is violence. There is no peace to be found if you continue on this warpath, although you may think you're fighting for your family, to protect them from harm, you are also fighting for yourself- selfishness is not the way of the ninja." With a heavy sigh, Splinter dropped his head, suddenly feeling tired and old. "This cannot continue. You two must find balance with each other, or I fear it will be the death of this family." Raising his head, he locked gazes with each son in turn, and placed a hand on a shoulder of each. "Sort this out." With that, the old rat turned and retreated into his room, sliding the door closed.
"Hai Sensei" Leo whispered, all the fight taken from him after his father's rant. He had not missed the disappointment in Splinter's voice, or the exhausted look on his face as he closed the door. He was a disappointment to his family, a failure.
Raph said nothing, just remained in the same position, fists clenched staring at Splinters door as if waiting for him to come back out again and apologize- something they all knew was not going to happen.
Leo turned slowly, took a deep breath and cleared his throat. "Raph, Master Splinter is ri-"
"Save it sword boy. Man you are such a teacher's pet. I have nothin' ta say ta you. In fact, I can't even look at ya. So why don' you just do us all a favour, and disappear for a while ok?" Raph drawled in his thick New York accent, turning away from Leo and made his way up the stairs to his room, lazily scratching at the dried blood from a small but considerable cut on the side of his face. He didn't look back once.
Disappear for a while huh? Well I definitely could use the fresh air. Man, I have screwed things up. Leo thought to himself as he made his way towards the exit, ignoring the pain from his numerous cuts and bruises and the protest of his aching, exhausted limbs.
Donatello appeared in the doorway of the lab to see his blue brothers retreating carapace going out the front door. "Leo wait, please!" he pleaded, wanting a chance to examine the injuries but also to comfort his brother- Splinter's lecture had been heard throughout the rest of the lair.
Leonardo's form stopped in the doorway, half hidden in shadow, making his slumped shoulders and defeated body posture all the more pronounced. He didn't turn around, and the lair doors whooshed shut, leaving the lair in unnerving silence once more.