Note: this takes place in a completely different universe…
Nine year old Akeno sat at a long wooden table eating buttered toast and orange juice. He fumbled with the stark-white napkin in his lap, a sign that he was either really excited or extremely anxious. Today, it was the latter. He took great lengths not to stare by trying to count all the white, marble squared tiles, or look at the ugly yellow flowered curtains hanging from the windows- anything to keep his distance from the older, slightly darker turtle with the black bandana and a nasty scowl; he knew far too well the consequences for speaking up without his permission but...this silence was killing him! The events that happened in the last few days were just too weird and he had to admit worried him enough to wonder what happened to…NO! He wouldn't say his name, not now not ever, he was forbidden to. Even if he said it in his head- just a little whisper- there would be severe punishments…best to sweep it under the rug and ignore it. He would be fine; he's probably just at the lair with his brothers and his old master, Splinter, having a great movie night with the essentials like popcorn and sodas (not including Splinter's green tea) just hanging out with his family and friends or something. No need to worry. He probably just left early because of the fight with Keno's sensei to cool off and he'll be back for training in no time. Everything will probably be fine.
"Sensei?" Another little turtle a couple years younger than Keno whined while tugging on the older one's sleeve.
"What in the world do you want?!" The annoyed gray clad turtle snapped while snatching his arm away causing the younger to flinch a bit.
"Ummm…where's Leo?" He spoke up hesitantly eyeing his teacher with innocent, but careful, wide blue eyes.
Keno couldn't help but notice that even young Shisho knew that just talking about it when his sensei was still angry with Le-with him was trudging on dangerous territory. He couldn't help but feel sorry for Shi(that was his brother's nickname) because it was too late to take back what he said and poor Shi would have to face either the ugly truth or indescribable punishment. Neither were very good outcomes. He also caught the awkward mumbles and shifts in chairs from the other side of the table. Guess he wasn't the only one who noticed and hated this silence…his sensei's other students were obviously a little taken aback by the simple question and some of them looked a little sick-they started to grow pale and looked like they were about to puke. And the others…Keno stared at them more intently. They looked almost uncomfortable, but who wasn't around the older turtle? It was almost like they felt…guilty? That was not a good sign. This waiting made Keno want to go back to bed and hide under the soft covers- to get away from all of this. However no one dared to move, let alone breath, until the question was answered by his sensei.
"We will never speak of that name in this household ever again." He said eerily calm making sure each word was sounded out perfectly loud and clear.
Keno swore he felt that phrase being carved into his emerald, green skin. He had finally said it. He knew that he had gotten into a nasty fight with his sensei, but forever meant…. Whatever his sensei said was law, and whatever he thought was the way of life around here-it was very rare for a person to challenge this fact; and the only one who ever did, outright, had disappeared. Leonardo was a mere memory to be cherished; one of the only memories that were happy and worth something around here, but something to be loved in secret and then pushed off to the far place in your mind that still carried a sense of hope that one day, things would be different. Keno couldn't help but also notice before when he talked about…Leo he kept saying probably, but right now he wasn't so sure there was that anymore. Keno politely and quietly asked to be excused and dragged his feet up the stairs to his tiny room. When he walked in he shut the door softly and collapsed onto his gray and red plaid bed like he just had a bunch of bricks dropped on his back. He had a headache and sore stomach but what hurt the most was his heart. Keno sat up cross legged while leaning against the wooden frame of his bed.
He yanked one of the gray pillows off the covers and couldn't help but think miserably that the stupid pillow was as a gray as his own life-until he met Leo. He always gave him something to look forward to each day: whether it was talking to him for endless hours, babysitting him when his sensei was too busy, or he was just there; even if it meant sitting next to him while he was reading a book- just enjoying each other's company- he always made Keno feel better. That was something his sensei never could, and never would achieve. No matter how many awards he received for getting to the highest levels of ninjitsu and for being 'honorable' and striving for perfection-he never earned any of it in Keno's eyes. He was embarrassed they were even related to each other in such a close manor to-as father and son. He'd rather get the chicken pox or pneumonia than admit to even knowing him. Keno smiled wryly. He had more honor than that creep-then most people. And yet, he was treated with such disrespect and hatred because of where he and his family lived-because of who they were. That was one of the reasons Master Splinter let…Leo- he said in his mind slowly almost waiting for the gray clad turtle to burst into the room screaming obscenities at him-but all he heard was his own deep breathing. Well, he at least owed it to Leo to think about his name in Keno's mind, but he still didn't dare say it out loud. Master Splinter made a huge mistake trusting his "friend" to train Leo… At that, Keno moaned and buried his face in his pillow. Things would never be the same...