Tales of a Broken Family

by BubblyShell22

After Tony Salini stopped visiting them, things fell apart for the Turtles. They were no longer a team, and now they had to deal with the consequences of that change.

1. Chapter 1

Tales of a Broken Family

Chapter 1: Falling Apart

A/N: So here's yet another bunny that popped into my head despite trying to bat the bunny away from me. This is the third story in my Tales universe and will go into detail about what happened to the Turtles during Tony's absence. I hope that you'll enjoy this story just as much as my other ones. I'm going to have a lot of fun with this one.

Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters belong to Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more.

Summary: After Tony Salini stopped visiting them, things fell apart for the Turtles. They were no longer a team, and now they had to deal with the consequences of that change.

Things changed after Tony left. Everything had been great for all of us. We were hanging out as much as we could and Tony was training to be a ninja like we were. Things were going great until Tony's uncle died of a heart attack. He had had a heart attack before, but it had been mild at best. This time, it wasn't mild, and he ended up passing away. Tony was devastated of course because his uncle was the one who had taken care of him after his dad was killed by Purple Dragons. We were so sad for him, too, and we lent our support the best way we could. He was grateful for that, but then things changed when he came to the Lair shortly after his uncle's funeral. It was supposed to be a memorial for all of us. Mikey had made the food and we were all ready to lend our support to our friend.

Tony came to the Lair still dressed in his best suit. Gia wasn't with him because she was still taking her father's death hard, so she had gone back to the apartment to mourn.

"Hey, Tony," I greeted him. "I'm really sorry about your uncle." I embraced him, and my brothers followed suit.

"Thanks, guys," he answered. "I really appreciate it."

"So, are we ready to eat?" Mikey asked.

"I'm not staying," Tony said.

Mikey was confused. "But we made all of this food for you. What are we supposed to do with it?"

"I'm sure you can think of something," Tony replied.

"Tony, what's up?" I asked. I could tell that something was wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was.

"Well, now that Uncle Gino's gone, someone has to take over the shop," he began. "I'm the only other Salini left, so I have to take care of it."

"Hey, that's cool," Mikey said. "I bet you'll have fun running a pizza place."

"It's not supposed to be fun, Mikey," he said. "It's a lot of work, and that's why I came down here. I can't hang out with you guys anymore."

Mikey's blue eyes widened. "You mean you're leaving us?" he whispered.

"Yeah, I am, Mikey. I have to."

"You don't have to do nothin'!" Raph said. "Didn't he have other guys to help out?"

"Yeah, but he enlisted me as the owner of Antonio's now," said Tony. "I can't shirk my duty."

"But you don't have to leave us," Mikey protested. "You could still visit us, right?"

Tony shook his head. "No, I can't, Mikey. Being the owner comes with a lot of responsibilities. I have to stay at the shop while it's open, and by the time it closes, I'll probably be too tired to come down and see you guys."

"But there's always the weekend," Donnie said.

"No, I can't come even then. Business has been slow, so we're staying open even longer on weekends to see if we can bring in customers. I'm really sorry, guys, but this is the way it has to be."

"We understand, Tony," I said softly. "Your hands are tied right now, and there's nothing you can do about it."

"Since when do you speak for all of us, Leo?" Raph spat. "You may understand this, but I don't! How could you leave us like this, Tony? I thought you were our friend!"

"I am your friend, Raph," Tony replied. "Nothing will ever change that. But I have to do this for my family. It's what Dad and Uncle Gino would want for me to do."

"What about Gia? Can't she help out?"

"She's promised to try, but she's a dance instructor now, so she's pretty busy as it is. Look, I don't want to do this, but I have to. I promise that I'll visit if I get a day off."

Raph rolled his eyes. "Yeah, like that'll happen," he muttered.

"We are sorry to see you go, Tony, but you must do what is asked of you," Splinter interjected. "We will miss you. If you do get time to come down, you are welcome here."

"Thanks, Sensei," he said.

Raph leveled a glare at Tony. "I don't want him here," he spat. "If he's gonna leave us, he might as well stay away. You're dead to me, Tony. I don't wanna see you again!"

"Raph!" I shouted, but Raph didn't listen. He turned and stormed out of the Lair, making sure to bump into Tony on the way. "I'm so sorry, Tony. I had no idea he'd react like that."

"It's not your fault, Leo," he answered. "He's just being Raph. I'm sure he'll cool down and everything will be okay."

"Can't you at least stay to have some food?" Mikey begged.

He sighed. "I have to get to the shop to look over some things, but could you get me a takeout box?"

Mikey smiled. "Sure," he said. He went into the kitchen and came back with a box full of food. "This should keep you full for a few days," he joked.

"Thanks, Mikey," Tony said as he took the box.

Mikey threw his arms around Tony and gave him a hug, causing Tony to set the box down so the food wouldn't get crushed.

"I'm gonna miss you, T!" he sobbed.

"I'll miss you, too, Mikey," Tony replied. "Don't forget to text once in a while or call."

"I won't," he promised.

"So, Tony, does that mean you're dropping out of college?" Don asked him.

"Yeah, I have no choice," he answered. "It sucks because I really wanted to get a degree, but that's the way it goes."

"You could always get one online," Don assured him.

"Yeah, maybe," he said. "We'll see how things go." He embraced Donnie and embraced Splinter before coming to me. "Sorry this had to happen, Leo. If you don't want to talk to me anymore, I get it."

"I don't want that at all, Tony," I replied. "You're still family to us and always will be no matter what. Even if you just call, that's all that matters."

"Hey, don't forget about me," Karai said as she came out of her room.

"Sorry, Karai," Tony said. "I'll miss you, too."

"Yeah, I know," she said. She hugged Tony and patted his back before releasing him.

I embraced Tony last. "Take care, Tony," I whispered. "Remember your training and that you're still a warrior. You're still part of this clan no matter what Raph says. Never forget that."

"I won't, Leo," he promised. "Take care of Mikey for me, okay?"

"I will. Safe travels."

He smiled at all of us and bowed to us. We bowed back before he turned and left the Lair. Mikey ran to his room and closed the door. Splinter sighed and retreated to his own quarters.

"Do you want me to go after Raph?" Karai asked me.

I sighed. "No, I'll do it. I'm the leader. I have to keep everyone in line."

"Good luck, Leo," she said softly.

"Thanks."

22222

I found Raph sitting on one of the water towers, his legs dangling off of the edge. He didn't turn until I'd landed beside him.

"What do you want, Leo?" he demanded.

"I want you to come home," I answered.

"You're not my dad, Leo," he spat. "You can't tell me what to do."

"I'm the leader of this clan, and you have to follow my orders," I retorted. "How could you say that to Tony? You know this has been hard for him to deal with."

"He left us, Leo. He's a traitor to the clan."

"No, he's not. He's doing his duty. I would hope you would understand what that means."

He rolled his eyes. "Sorry, but I'm not a suck up like you, Leo, so I don't know what it means."

"Stop being a baby, Raph," I ordered him.

"Stop kissing Splinter's ass, Leo!" he countered.

"I don't kiss his ass, Raph! I do what's expected of me."

"Whatever. I don't need to listen to your lectures, Leo."

"Are you coming home?"

"When I'm good and ready," he replied.

"Fine," I said. "If that's the way you want to be. See you at home." I turned and left him stewing there. I knew I couldn't force him to come home, but his attitude bothered me. He was lashing out worse than he used to. He and I used to have a good relationship. Sure, we had our fights now and then, but we always made up quickly afterward with Raph apologizing for being mean or me apologizing for being too controlling. But there was none of that tonight. Tony's departure had changed Raph, and I was afraid that I couldn't bring him back from whatever dark mood he was in.

I came home and found Splinter waiting for me. "Your brother did not come back?" he asked me.

"He said he'd be back when he's good and ready," I answered. "I'm sorry, Sensei. I've failed you."

"You have not failed, my son," he reassured me. "Raphael is stubborn. He will come when he is ready to. Now go get some rest."

"I want to wait for him, Sensei," I said. "You should go to bed."

"Very well," he acquiesced. "But if he does not come home, you should go to bed."

"I will, Sensei," I promised.

I sat on the couch and waited for my brother to come home. He came home just before midnight and saw me sitting there. He gave me a curt nod before going to his room. I sighed and turned off the TV before retiring for the night. I was so heartbroken over all of this, but there was nothing I could do about it. Things were changing, and I just had to flow with that change no matter what it brought with it. With a sigh, I settled down under my covers and fell asleep.

22222

The night was cool as we leapt over the rooftops on our nightly patrol. Raph was still surly, and I could tell that it wasn't going to get any better. It continued as we looked down and spotted a familiar motorcycle cruising down the streets. The boy riding it wasn't the one we knew, but it still brought back memories of after we first met Tony. Raph scowled as he saw the boy with the familiar Antonio's uniform.

"Traitor," he muttered.

"Cut him some slack, Raph," I said. "He's very busy."

"Too busy to even give us the time of day," he said.

"He called me the other day," I reminded him.

"Yeah, he called you, not anybody else," he retorted.

"He was in a hurry, Raph," I said. "He still sent his regards to you."

"It's not the same, Leo, and you know it. He bailed on us. He doesn't deserve anything from us."

"He had no choice, Raph. He had to take over the family business."

Raph said nothing more, but I could tell he was still upset. I guess I couldn't blame him for that considering all that had happened. But he didn't have to be a jerk about things.

Mikey grabbed my arm. "Dude, check it out," he whispered.

I followed his gaze to where a group of Purple Dragons were strolling toward a jewelry store. "Looks like those guys are up to something," I mused.

"Then let's take 'em down," said Raph, twirling his sais.

"Hold on, Raph," I said. "Let's wait and see what they do."

"We know what they're gonna do. They're gonna rob the store, and I'm gonna stop them before it happens." With that, he jumped off of the rooftop and took off toward the gang members.

"Raph, wait!" I yelled then sighed. "Why does he always have to do this?"

"Beats me, but we better follow him," Mike replied.

The three of us followed Raph who was already engaged with the Dragons. We joined the fight to even the odds. I took down Tsoi fairly quickly but was met by another member I didn't know. Apparently, the Dragons were recruiting more people. Just as I took that member down, I spotted Sid sneaking up on Raph with a pipe in his hand.

"Raph, look out!" I yelled, but Raph was too busy with his own opponent that he didn't listen to me. I lunged at my brother and pushed him out of the way. He was clear of Sid's hit, but I wasn't. I felt the impact, and the last thing I heard was my brother calling my name before I was engulfed in darkness.

22222

I slowly opened my eyes as I heard voices around me. It took me a minute to adjust my vision, but once I did, I saw that my family was around me.

"Leo, you're awake!" Mikey cried excitedly as he gave me a hug.

"Ow! Easy, Mikey," I warned. "I'm still hurt, remember?"

"Sorry, dude," he apologized.

"Looks like you have a concussion, Leo," Don told me. "You probably won't be able to train for a while."

"Just what I needed," I said sourly.

"At least you are alive, my son," Splinter said. "We were very worried about you."

"Yeah, don't try that again, idiot," Raph said.

I glared at him. "I did that to save your shell," I reminded him.

"I could have taken him," he retorted.

"You were distracted and not paying attention," I explained. "If I hadn't stepped in, you would be the one in this bed right now."

"Oh, so this is MY fault now?" Raph demanded. "Why is it that when somethin' happens, you always have to place blame on someone? Why can't you just get it through your head that shit happens sometimes? It's nobody's fault except the guy wielding the pipe."

"If you had been paying attention, I wouldn't have had to intervene, Raph. A true ninja is always aware of his surroundings."

"So now I'm not a true ninja? What the hell is your problem, Leo? Why do you always have to have a stick up your ass?"

"I'm trying to be a good leader and protect my team!" I replied.

"Ah, so this is a martyr act now? Are we supposed to bow at your feet because you made some stupid sacrifice to protect your team? Just like you did with the Technodrome or when you nearly blew yourself up at TCRI? And who could forget when you led the Kraang away from us and got your ass handed to you by Shredder and his Foot goons? Was that an act of sacrifice too or just plain stupidity because you felt you had to prove yourself as a great leader?"

My eyes narrowed in anger at his tone and his words. "Don't you DARE blame me for that," I hissed. "I had no idea Shredder and the Foot were out there."

"Seems to me you could have sensed them there, Leo," Raph retorted. "After all, you're the true ninja, right?"

"Raphael, that is enough," Splinter chastised. "Your brother is right. You should have been aware of your surroundings."

"It's not my fault that guy snuck up on me. Why am I always the one bein' labeled the bad guy here?"

"Because you're too impulsive and reckless," I told him. "If you would have just waited, it wouldn't have happened, but you ran into that fight without thinking it through first."

"Sometimes action is better than just planning a stupid strategy. That's how I roll."

"And that's how you get into trouble, Raph. You have to learn to think more."

"Oh yeah? Well, YOU need to stop being a suck up to Sensei all of the time! YOU need to stop actin' like you're better than the rest of us. And YOU need to get off of my case!"

"Raphael! Go to my quarters now!" Splinter shouted.

Raph opened his mouth and then closed it. He turned and left the infirmary, muttering under his breath the whole way.

"I am sorry he said those things to you, my son," Splinter said gently. "Please do not take his words to heart, Leonardo. He really does care for you."

"Sometimes I don't think he does, Sensei," I said sadly.

He patted my shoulder. "I will talk to him and see what is wrong," he reassured me. "It will all work out in the end." He kissed my forehead and left to go to talk to my hotheaded brother.

"Dude, Raph was way out of line there," Mikey said. "You think Sensei's gonna punish him."

"Probably," I answered. "He needs it though."

"Well, now that you're awake, we'll just leave you alone for a while," said Donnie. "Holler if you need anything, okay?"

"Okay," I replied.

Mikey gave me a wave before leaving with Donnie and Karai who had been strangely quiet during Raph's tirade. I had no idea what that was about, but I wasn't about to dwell on it. Raph was definitely not himself, and I hated to think that Tony's absence had anything to do with it. There had to be more to it than that. Checking my phone, I saw that there were no texts from our friend, and I felt I needed to talk to someone. I dialed his number and waited for him to pick up. It rang and rang, but the voicemail clicked on instead.

"You've reached Tony Salini," the voicemail said. "I'm not able to return your call so please leave a message after the beep."

I waited for the tone and then said, "Tony, it's Leo. I really wanted to talk to you since I haven't heard from you in a while. A lot is going on here, and I don't know what to do about it. Please call me back. I really miss you."

I hung up and just stared at the walls since there was nothing else I could do at the moment. I kept trying to reason with myself that Raph was going through a phase. Why else would he suddenly lash out at me like that?

Mikey made dinner and I ate as much as I could. Don figured that I'd be able to get out of the infirmary tomorrow, and that made me feel better. Mikey played some card games with me to keep me company until it was time for them to go on patrol. I wished them luck and began reading a book Mikey had given me to pass the time. Splinter came and talked to me for a little bit until the guys came home. Patro had gone well, and that made me feel better even though I wished I had been with them. I said goodnight to all of them, and all but Raph wished me the same.

Tony never called me back, and that made me feel horrible. Had he really cast us off like that? No, I couldn't believe that. He was just busy. He would get back to me and everything would be okay. With that last thought in my head, I fell asleep.

22222

After training the next day (which I was only allowed to observe and not participate in), Sensei called Karai and me into his chambers. I was a bit confused as to why he was doing this to us.

"Leonardo, I have asked you here today because Miwa came to me to ask me something important," he began.

"Yes, Sensei?" I asked him.

"Miwa wishes to go to Japan to see where she was born," said Splinter. "It is something she has wanted for a long time, and I feel that now would be the best time to do this. However, she does not wish to go alone and wishes that you would accompany her to Japan."

"And why is that, Sensei? Karai is a fully skilled kunoichi. I'm sure she can take care of herself just fine on her own."

"That is true, but she does not know if the Foot in Japan will be looking for her and would like someone she trusts to accompany her. She asked if you would go, and that is why I have asked you here. Would you care to go to Japan with your sister?"

"I've always wanted to visit there again after we were sent back in time," I answered. "But I don't want to leave my brothers alone."

"Your brothers are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves, Leonardo. And with the tension between you and Raphael, I think it would be best if you were apart for a little while. Maybe being away from them will help you to find yourself, my son."

I considered his words. Yeah, there was a lot of tension between Raph and me, and I had a feeling it wasn't going to get better the longer we stayed together. Maybe being away from him WAS the answer. Maybe it would teach all of them a lesson in how they took me for granted sometimes. "I think it's a good idea, Sensei," I replied. "I accept."

"Good," Splinter said. "We will tell your brothers how it will be, and you will leave as soon as Donatello clears you to train again."

Telling my brothers didn't go well, which I expected. Each of them reacted in a different way.

"But, Leo, you can't leave us!" Mikey begged me.

"It won't be for long, Mikey," I assured him. "Just a couple of weeks at most. I'll be back before you know it."

"Are you sure you'll be able to do it?" Don asked. "You only just got injured after all."

"Sensei says as soon as you clear me, I'll be fit to go," I told him.

"Well, that seems reasonable," Don remarked.

Raph glared at me, anger in his eyes. "So now you're abandoning us, too, Fearless? You think you're too good for us now?"

"No, I don't, Raph," I said. "I'm just taking some time off so to speak. It'll only be for a few weeks and then Karai and I will be home."

"I figured that you would be pleased, Raphael," Splinter interjected. "You did tell me during our talk yesterday that you wished Leonardo would leave. Now you are getting what you wanted."

Shock filled my eyes and a gasp escaped my lips. "You said that, Raph? Is that really what you think of me?"

"No!" he protested. "I was just mad, Leo. You know how it is when I get mad. I say shit I don't mean."

"I think you DO mean it, Raph. You don't like how I want to protect you. This is your chance to get what you want. I'll be gone and you can do as you please. Maybe it'll help you to think a little more about just what I bring to the team."

"Whatever," he muttered. "Go have fun, Fearless. Enjoy your little vacation with your girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend and you know it," I stated.

"But you wish she could be. I know you do, so don't try to play innocent, Leo. You wish that she could sleep in your bed with you every night. You wish that you could kiss her and hold her like anyone else. And the fact that you can't do that pisses you off."

"Raph, that's enough," Karai interjected. "Leo and I aren't like that. You need to watch your mouth and be careful about who you're talking about."

Raph threw his arms up. "That's right! Defend him! It's always me, isn't it? I'm the bad guy here. I don't need this! Have a nice life!" And with that, he turned and stormed out of the Lair.

I sighed in frustration. Yeah, this was definitely going to be the best thing to do.

22222

Time flew by quicker than I thought it would, and before I knew it, it was time for Karai and me to go to Japan. I had been waiting for this day since Master Splinter first suggested it. I had all of my stuff packed and so did Karai. We came out of our rooms and got ready to leave. Everyone gathered around us to say goodbye, though Raph was standing a fair distance away.

"I'm gonna miss you, Leo," Mikey sobbed "Promise you'll write every day?"

"I'll write as much as I can, Mikey," I promised.

"Okay. And bring me something cool, too. And don't go having sex with any geishas."

I laughed. "Okay, I won't."

"Have a safe trip, Leo," Don said. "If you have any questions concerning medical aid, don't hesitate to call me."

"I think we'll be fine, Donnie," I said. "You taught me everything I need to know. Just take care of Mikey and make sure Raph doesn't get into too much trouble."

"I'll do my best, but I can't make any promises," Don replied.

I made my way over to Raph and held my arms out for a hug. He turned and fixed me with such an angry stare it was as if fire was in his eyes.

"Goodbye, Raph," I said. "Take care, okay? I'll be back soon. I love you."

Raph growled at me. "I hate you!" he spat. Then he turned and went to his room, slamming the door as loudly as he could.

Splinter came over and embraced me. "Please do not listen to his words, my son," he soothed. "You know he does not mean them. Have a safe trip. I love you, Leonardo."

"I love you, too, Master Splinter," I whispered. "Take care of him for me." Then I turned and left the Lair along with my sister.

We got on the boat with very little difficulty and stowed away where no one could see us. Karai smiled and squeezed my hand.

"Are you ready for this, Leo?" she asked me.

I thought about the home I was leaving behind and Raph's venomous words. I still couldn't believe he would feel that way after I was leaving him. But maybe it was for the best. I couldn't continue to worry about him anymore. I had my own life to live now.

"Yeah, I'm ready," I answered.

And so our journey began. But little did we know that what awaited us in Japan was anything but a nice vacation.

A/N: And that's the end of that chapter. Man, I didn't think it would be that long, but I do like making long chapters. So what do you think so far? I'm having fun with this universe, and I can't wait to bring you more of it. Next chapter will be Raph's perspective and we'll see what he's been up to and how he feels about Leo's absence. Feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.