Chapter 2: Catch Me If You Can
A/N: So here's the next chapter in this little tale. This will have a time skip to the farmhouse and will take place after "A Foot Too Big." Thanks to those who have read and reviewed thus far. It means a lot to me.
Guest: I fail to see how I write like a teenager. I feel like my writing has definitely improved from when I started writing in 2004. I'm really sorry you feel that way though. Thanks for reading.
Disclaimer: TMNT and all related characters are property of Nickelodeon. I only own the plot and nothing more.
Leo sighed as he made his way out of the farmhouse to the woods. His knee was aching again, and he figured that maybe a walk would help to make the pain lessen. He heard the door slam and turned to see Raph coming out of the house.
"Hey, Leo, wait up!" Raph called.
"What's up, Raph?" Leo asked him.
"What are you up to?"
"I'm taking a walk," Leo replied.
"Well, I was thinkin' that since you didn't get to participate in Turtle Hunt before that maybe you and I could play a round," Raph suggested.
"I'd love to, Raph, but I can't," Leo said dejectedly, gazing down at his injured knee.
"Sure you can, Leo," Raph insisted. "You can hunt for me, and I'll make sure not to hide in any trees so you don't have to climb to get me."
"I don't know if my knee can take that," said Leo hesitantly.
"We can just try it," urged Raph. "I know of a trail that isn't by the stream and where you won't have to dodge any logs. It'll be perfect for you. What do you say?"
Leo smiled at Raph's exuberance, and he noted how much the red-clad Turtle had changed since coming to the farm. "Okay, I guess we can try it," he relented.
"Awesome!" cried Raph. He led Leo to the trail that he'd spotted while playing the game with Mikey and Donnie. "Okay, you stay here, and I'll go hide. Catch me if you can!" He stuck out his tongue and ran off.
Leo laughed and waited the allotted time until he was supposed to hunt for Raph. He made his way along the trail and saw that Raph was right. It was a great place and he wasn't having any trouble navigating the trail with his cane. He looked everywhere he could, but he couldn't find Raph anywhere. He began to wonder if Raph was fooling him and was hiding in a tree anyway just to be sneaky. As he approached one of the trees, his cane caught on one of the roots causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground. He cried out as his knee hit the ground and clutched it.
He lay there, trying to block out the pain and remembered what he should have been doing. He slowly sat up and grabbed his cane. Using it as leverage, he tried to get up, but his knee gave out, and he sank to the ground again. How could this have happened? They were having a good time, and his injury had to ruin everything just like always. It made Leo feel horrible knowing that he couldn't even play a simple game with his brothers, and if he couldn't do that, how was he going to be able to aid them in battle? He tried to get up again, but his knee was too weak. What was he going to do?
Luckily, Raph began calling his name. "Leo! Where are you, bro?"
"Over here!" Leo called back.
Footsteps sounded through the woods as Raph came to his brother's side. "Bro, are you okay?" he asked, his green eyes filling with concern.
"No," Leo answered. "I tripped over that root and fell. I tried to get back up, but my knee's too weak. How did you know to look for me?"
"Because I figured you were takin' too long, and I got worried," Raph replied "Usually you find me much quicker than that."
"Sorry I ruined our game," Leo said sadly.
"You didn't ruin it, bro," Raph said gently. "It's my fault for not thinkin' this through. Maybe we'll just play it when you're better. Now let's get you up." He took Leo's arm and gently helped him up. He let Leo lean on him until he grabbed Leo's cane and gave it to his wounded brother. Then he put Leo's other arm around his shoulder and leaned against him. "I've got you, Leo," he soothed. "It's gonna be okay."
Leo rounded on Raph. "No it's not going to be okay!" he snapped. "I can't even play a simple game with you anymore! I'm a liability to the team, and if I can't play a simple game, then I can't even fight in battle."
"Leo, you'll get better," Raph reassured him. "You were hurt pretty bad, so it's gonna take you some time to heal. But you're tough. If you can wake up from a coma, you can heal from this injury, bro."
"Yeah, well, sometimes I wish I hadn't even woken up," Leo said bitterly.
Raph's green eyes flashed with anger at his brother's words. "Don't you DARE say that, Leo!" he snapped. "Do you even realize the hell we went through while you were out not knowin' if you were gonna wake up? I stayed by your side night and day because I knew you'd want me there. I only left to eat and sometimes to train, but I was with you most of the time. And if you didn't wake up, I don't know what I'd do, Leo. We need you, bro. You're our leader and without you, we're not a team. So stop with this damn pity party and be grateful that you're alive to even play Turtle Hunt with me."
Leo stopped and considered Raph's words. "I get what you're saying, Raph, and I'm sorry I put you through that," he said softly. "But that's my point. I'm nothing but a burden to all of you. You spent all that time with me, and you probably could have spent that time training or doing something else."
"I did it because I love you, bro," Raph said. "You didn't put me through anything. Shredder's the one to blame for all of it, not you."
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be a hindrance in the future if I don't heal. You'll still have to look out for me and make sure I don't hurt myself further, and that's a big problem if we're going to fight in battle."
"Leo, stop it," Raph said. "I know you may not feel it now, but you WILL heal from this. We'll do all we can to make sure you get better so we can go back to New York stronger than ever before. And when we do, we'll show the Kraang that they can't take our city from us without a fight."
Leo smiled at the determination in Raph's eyes and wished he felt the same. But he couldn't help but still feel like he was more of a hindrance than a help. "Okay, Raph, I'll try," he said. "But if I don't get better and I can't fight anymore, I want you to be the leader in my place. You've really changed since we've come here, and I've seen how you handle training. You're really good, and I think you'd make a good leader if I can't take the role myself."
"Leo, don't even go there," Raph warned.
"I'm not doubting you, Raph. I'm just saying that we have to be ready for any possible outcome that may happen in the future."
"Okay, I get it," Raph said. "I don't really like the whole leader thing, but if I have to do it, I will just for you."
"Thanks, Raph," Leo said gratefully.
"It's what I'm here for, bro," Raph said, giving his brother a gentle squeeze. "Now let's go home and get some food in us. I'm starvin'."
Leo laughed. "Okay. I'm pretty hungry too."
The two brothers made their way back to the farmhouse. Raph had Leo sit on the couch while he went and got sandwiches for them. The two Turtles ate and watched some television, contemplating on the conversation they'd just had. Leo knew Raph was reluctant to take the leadership mantle, but he felt that Raph was ready for it and that if it had to be any of his brothers to take his place Raph was the one for the job. Leo would support Raph and guide him just as Splinter had guided him in the past, though he knew Raph would have to make mistakes along the way just as Leo had done. But despite his concerns, Leo trusted Raph and had faith in him and that's what Raph needed right now. At the same time, Raph didn't want to take Leo's place if he could help it, but if he had to he'd do whatever he could for his older brother. The two were best friends, and they had made a pact when they were younger that they would be there for each other no matter what and help each other out when they needed it.
"I got your back, Leo," Raph said. "Best friends for life."
"Best friends for life," Leo echoed. Then he bumped fists with Raph and they spread their hands out like they were exploding. Then they turned back to the television, content that they had each other to lean on.
A/N: So that's the end of another chapter. I think there may be one more after this, but I'm going to wait until "Battle for New York" officially airs. I know it's available on the Nick site right now, but I can't watch it, so I'll have to wait until it airs next week before I post the next chapter. In the meantime, feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.