Leonardo leveled his gaze at Raphael. "Yeah, I am but at least Don and Mikey rather come to me instead. Sometimes I wonder why you're still here. We're better off without you. So just go somewhere else and leave us alone and right now I hate you!" Leo yelled then immediately snapped his mouth shut. He hadn't meant to say that. Raphael starred at him his mouth clenched shut. Shock spread over Leo's face; "I..I'm sorry Raph didn't mean to say it like that. I don't mean it." With a low voice, Raph responded. "Yeah well ya did. So now I know how you truly feel about me. Well don't worry Fearless Leader; I will be gone by the morning." At that; Raphael slammed his door shut. Leo still couldn't believe what he had just said to his younger brother. He may have very well just shattered any relationship he had with him. Leo slowly walked back to his bedroom and closed the door.

Mikey and Donnie watched the exchange and were still in shock what Leo said and that Raph hadn't hit him. Don placed his arm around Mikey's shoulders. "What's gonna happen now bro? Is Raphie boy really gonna leave us? I don't want him to leave!" Mikey wailed. "It's going to be ok Mikey. I'm sure they will forgive each other. They always do." Don said; reassuring not only Mikey but himself as well. The words he heard Leo say, he has never heard before; not even in some of the worse fights. Don could only wonder what would happen now; if Raph would really leave or if they could convince him to stay. He knew this wasn't going to be easy and might take a miracle. "Mikey, why don't you go talk to Raph? You seem to be able to calm him down better and I will talk to Leo. I have a feeling this won't be easy. Good luck." Don then headed towards Leo's room while Mikey went to Raph's.

Don knocked at Leo's door."Can I come in?" When he didn't receive a reply; he slowly opened the door to see Leo sitting on the edge of his bed. "I don't want to talk about it Don." Don sat next to his older brother. "Sometimes talking is the best medicine." Leo sighed. "I didn't mean to Donnie. I didn't mean to say that. It just came out. I started on him about rushing into battles again which had absolutely nothing to do with the argument. Then I just said it. I said the one thing I promised I would say to any of you. This is my entire fault and we know Raph; he will leave and might not come back. And I don't think I can stop him." Leo said with his head in his hands. Don placed a comforting arm around Leo's shoulders. "I'm sure you and Raph will figure this out."

Meanwhile at Raphael's door; Mikey gently knocked. "Go away Leo. I am not talking ta ya." Mikey inhaled. "It's me Mikey, I'm coming in to talk to you." Mikey entered Raph's room to find him lying in his hammock. "Hey bro; you're not really gonna leave are you? I mean we still need you." Mikey asked. "Don't know. Never heard Leo that mad before; even if I do leave, I'll call ya when I can but if I stay, it'll be for you an' Donnie. I never thought I'd hear Leo say that but I guess I had it coming. It's my fault anyway. Might be for the better if I do leave; that way no fights. No you and Donnie getting caught in tha middle." Raph sadly stated. Part of him didn't want to leave but the other part knew it might be for the best. "Raphie boy, please stay; I'm sure Leo didn't mean to say that; just a heat of the moment thing. He doesn't hate you; none of us ever could for that matter. And this one is Leo's fault." Mikey pleaded. He hoped he could get his stubborn older brother listen; at least to him. Raphael sighed. "Fine Mikey I'll think about it. And even you know; all fights are my fault, regardless." Mikey grabbed his shoulder. "Thanks Raphie boy." Upon leaving, he ran into Donnie outside.

"So how did it go with Leo?"

"I did my best now it's up to him." Don replied. "How about you?" "I think I broke through to him. Let's leave it up to them now." The brothers headed back to the living room; both hoping their older brothers could repair their fractured relationship. As evening fell, Leo stepped out from his room. Raphael remained in his. His intuition told him there is something wrong in the air but if he stayed in his room then Leo would use it against him. Grumbling, he hopped out his hammock and headed to the living room. He saw Leo sitting in his chair reading a book. Although; it appeared that he is reading; his mind is unable to concentrate on the words. A quick glance up revealed Raph heading to the couch, Leo went to open his mouth but no words came out. He didn't trust himself to attempt to say anything that won't be misconstrued.

Raphael waited for Leo to speak up. He didn't want to the first one to say anything in case Leo decided to take it up as another argument. The tension in the lair sat thick. No one talked to each other. Leo continued to read while Mikey half played a video game. Don sat at his computer tinkering at his latest project and Raphael just watched Mikey play. No one wanted to speak. Master Splinter heard the argument from his room but decided that his sons needed to fix their problems on their own. He would only intervene if needed to. Little did he know that later night, it would him saving his son.

No matter how hard he tried, Leo just couldn't find the words to say. His mind screamed at him to say anything to his brother. Raphael refused to even so much as look at him. How could he let his family fall apart over his failing leadership skills? Rubbing his temples to relieve the forming migraine; he decided that after a good night's sleep and a rested mind, he would talk to his brother in the morning; something he would never get to do. Raphael watched his older brother leave the room. He grunted and rolled his eyes. Just like Leo to put this on him. He definitely does not have intentions on begging for forgiveness from anyone, especially the Fearless Leonardo. Mikey and Don watched Leo leave and only hoped that Raph decided to stay at least another night.

"Night bro, see ya in the morning." Mikey called over to Raph. Don soon followed to his bedroom; leaving Raphael alone in the living room. Once alone, Raphael had time to think about what Leo had said. Realizing Leo is right, he knows leaving would free their family from the fights but then he would be leaving Mikey. Sighing, he wasn't sure what to do? Should he leave and risk Mikey being mad at him or stay and tolerate the Great Leonardo? He twirled his sai in his hand as he sat there contemplating what to do. He realized he must have dozed off in the chair at some point when he heard footsteps behind him. Immediately jumping to the offensive; he pulled out both sai poised to attack. Letting his eyes adjust to the dim living room; he made out the figure of his older brother. "He thinks he's slick coming out in the middle of the night to apologize; not turtle enough to do it in front of Donnie and Mikey." Raph watched as Leo walked around. "What is he doing?" He whispered to himself. Jumping over the chair, he made his way over to him. "Hey Leo; what'cha doing up so late?" Leo heard footsteps coming towards him and instinct kicked in. He unsheathed his katana and swung. Raph saw the glint of metal and barely dodged the fatal strike. Stinging pain ran up his arm when he noticed the thin trail of blood. "Hey bro watch where you swing those things! Ya nearly sliced me in half." But Leo didn't hear him. "Intruder, get out of my home." He said dangerously. Raphael looked confused at his brother. "Leo it's me Raph. I know ya want me ta leave but ya don't have ta attack me." He put his hands up. Leo side stepped and brought another strike down. Raphael caught the blade in his sai and pushed him away. "What the shell do ya think ya doing Leo?" Leo continued to star down at Raphael. Coming in for another blow; Raph moved to the side and blocked it. With their blades locked together; Raphael gazed into his brothers eyes. What he saw frightened him. Leo eyes were glazed over; it appeared as if he didn't know who he attacking. "I will only tell you one more time to leave or else I will use force." Raph began thinking of ways to break thru to his brother. "He doesn't know it's me. Must be that mist from earlier; it's some sort of mind control thingy." All Raph could do was keep on the defensive. He had never expected to fight his own brother but now that is happening. For a brief moment Leo disappeared. Raph turned just in time to avoid the worst of the strike but not without Leo sword cutting a deep gash in his side. Grunting in pain; he dropped to his knees. "Leo please snap out if bro!" Raph pleaded yet Leo didn't hear him and continued to advance.

Just then Mikey and Donnie appeared, they too had the glazed over look in their eyes. Raph realized if he didn't get away soon then there would be no morning for him. "Donnie, Mikey we have an intruder attack." Leo called out pointing to Raphael. Mikey swung his nun chucks barely avoiding Raphael. Another swing caught him in the arm; he heard the sickening sound of bones breaking. Carefully sheathing his sai in his belt; he held his broken arm close to his body. Donnie came up from behind and swung down on his head. Raphael lost sight for a brief moment, just enough to hear and feel metal slicing thru skin. Blood poured from the gash in his thigh. Several more bruises formed from numerous blows to his body. He continued to block blow after blow from his brothers. "Come on guys snap out of it. You guys are stronger than this." He desperately pleaded with them. Raphael limped to the back of the lair. Blood trailed behind him. His ankle sprained, several deep gashes and bruises, concussion, broken ribs and arm; he was barely able to make it before he saw one final blow from his brother's katana to his plastron. Raphael looked up at Leo; pleadingly. "I'm sorry Leo." He closed his eyes waited for the final strike