Ok this idea has been floating aroun in my mind for about 4 months now and I can't stop writing it so I'll post one chapter a day if I can keep it up. If you're interested good, if not oh well.

I don't own TMNT.

Prologue~ What's Now?

Leo peeked out through lidded eyes and sighed at the scene around him. It was here, there was no fighting, no cursing and the loudest noise was a waterfall in the distance. It was a quiet and serene day in the Japanese countryside and the three meditating turtles in the grassy green field were at peace. The wind carried along the song of a beautiful day to come and Leonardo could vow that it was one of the best tunes that his ears ever heard.

Closing his eyes, Leo reached back for his memories of the year he had come to Japan but before he could run all the precious memories through his mind a presence approached the three.

"That will be more than enough Kumquats," said an aged voice interlaced with humor and energy.

The three reptilian warriors opened their eyes and responded in unison, "Yes, sensei."

"I will go to the market today, you are in charge Leonardo."

Leo let a small smile spread across his face and bowed, "Thank you, Ancient One."

"Ah, keep your head about you Kumquats, I will return in a few hours."

"Come on," Leo said standing up and holding out a hand to each sibling sitting beside him, "Let's go home."

Each placed a hand into the grasp of their older brother and rose to their feet. They took one glance back at the waterfall in the distance and sighed before meeting each other's eyes.

Ice-like dark chocolate orbs stared into tints of calming amethyst and easing gold.

Yes, they all silently agreed, it was indeed a good day. They turned away from their worries and let old memories settle on their shoulders.

Screaming voices directed to destroy a heart…

Death taking over before lone eyes shining with tears…

Fire burning skin as a scream echoed into empty voids…

They shuddered at the nightmares but glanced at one another for comfort before heading back to their home. That night, after they had retired to their rooms the dark blue banded turtle glanced out at the night sky through a window that was one wall itself. So many stars littered the sky and he always seemed to forget that he had seen the same identical sky for a year.

He took a deep breath and sat down to meditate, it was time to talk. He slowed his breathing and set his mind swinging back and forth as if on a pendulum through the empty void of his soul.

"Leonardo?" called a voice from a shining silver light in front of him.

"Hello father," Leo said and let a few tears trail down his cheeks, "I've missed you so much."

"I, in return, long to see you as well, my son," said the voice from the gray light.

"You know I can not return sensei, too many nightmares rest beneath that city."

"I understand my son, but no words can quiet my grief to know you are far from here."

"I understand father, I grieve the memories that lay along time. Will you wake up?"

"I hear the voices around me my son but I can not seem to escape from here."

"Have strength and faith father."

"You as well my son, things may fall into line very soon."

With that the blue light vanished, leaving the lonely silver light to scan the darkness and look upon the thoughts of the ones standing around his body.

Leonardo opened his eyes and blinked twice at the setting moon. His thoughts stuck in the past as he returned to his bed. He closed his eyes but for a moment searched for the feeling of his younger siblings in the rooms surrounding his.

He buried his head in his pillow and let three tears drop onto the white fabric of the pillowcase. No, memories from over a year ago were bad. He had to quit recalling them before it shot his focus down. Finally, he closed his eyes and embraced the comforting presence of his home and its inhabitants.

He knew he would wake up at 5:00am, watch the sunrise with his family over a brewing pot of calming green tea, then head to the waterfall for their meditation until the sun completely appeared in the sky. Then, they would once again return home to finish their chores, followed by an hour training session then they would head into the nearby forest for whatever the day would throw at them or whatever their minds could conjure up. Finally, a meditation session under the setting sun, dinner and ending with evening training.

Of course, it wasn't always the same everyday. They still managed to get into their fair share of trouble even with years of training under their belts.

"Fall Into line?" man these lines are getting more and more cliche by the minute. Oh well, they're cheesy. And I like cheese! Doritos, Mac & Cheese, and just plain cheese.

Well that was a cheesy goodbye.

~Moonsetta