A/N:

SPOILERS: Lots of stuff borrowed and inspired by the 2k3-series City at war -episodes.

WARNINGS: Violence, death, rotten corpses and dark and twisted tone.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own TMNT, I'm not making any money with them. I didn't come up with the City at War -story either.

I - Tearless

Rain washed the broken windows of the once so glorious Foot Tower. Instead of the calm, efficient facade there were left mere remains. Shattered glass, blood and mutilated corpses. Traces of battle, defeat and loss. The Shredder's office reeked of blood.

Leonardo didn't mind the repulsive stink of death nor the freezing wind blowing from the broken window. He just stood there still, letting his glance rest at the view of the gray shaded New York City.

It's like the city weeps because of the tragedy that has faced our clan.

It had been three days since the final battle had been fought, since his family had been violently torn apart. He closed his eyes, inhaling the reek of rotten corpses to deepen his painful memories, just to be enclosed by the devastating misery of their failure. His failure.

I've failed the one that has been the most important part of my whole life. How many different ways one is forced to face such loss and sorrow?

Leonardo opened his eyes, and they felt like they were burning. But he knew he couldn't shed a single tear without her. He was just teasing himself, as always, the masochist he was.

Our father is dead, he replied in his head once more, noticing how the grating pain inside of him had finally made room for pure lust for revenge. Revenge for those who had taken his father, his sensei from him, and for those who had deserted their clan at the very moment their companionship had been important.

They have no right to call themselves as my brothers...no right to be called as my father's sons...

Those who didn't honor His memory shouldn't be considered as part of the family.

Nor have I. I betrayed him by failing on the most important evening of our lives. We're traitors.

If not honor bound to revenge his father's death, Leonardo would've committed seppuku already.

But I'm not afraid! That's not the way I was brought up by my honorable master! As a punishment of my failure I must carry this burden inside me...and so have those who weren't there for Him.

Leonardo had to stay alive.

I'll seek for revenge. I'll gain my right to the honor by resurrecting our clan from the ashes. And may gods help those who aren't with me.

Those who weren't with Leonardo were against their clan, against their family.

There is still hope in this family.

Leonardo knew she was on her way.