Leonardo went to his room after that. There was a fear he felt when Donatello smiled at him, as if he knew a secret Leonardo was trying to hide from him. But what secret could Leonardo be hiding? He put it out of his mind and began to mediate. I have nothing to hide. I have nothing to fear. He inhaled and exhaled but his mind drifted to Raphael. I wonder where he went? Why did he get so mad? I didn't say anything rude to him. Time went by and Leonardo lost track. A knock on the door interrupted his meditation. He turned and saw Donatello walking in.

"Hey Leo, I was just wondering if Raphael was back yet?" Leonardo's face stiffened.

"He's not back yet?" he asked. Donatello shook his head. "Has he called?"

"He left without his shell cell," Donatello explained. Leonardo nodded.

"I'll go out and find him," he said. He turned out the candle he had lit for his meditation and turned to leave.

"Leo, I'm sorry about what I said earlier. You looked upset and I didn't mean to upset you," Donatello said.

Leoanrdo turned back to look at him. "That's alright Donnie. It's nothing really." Donatello gave him a sad smile.

"If you say so." And Leonardo left.

Finding Raphael wasn't very hard. Leoanrdo could sense his presence as soon as he turned a few tunnels out of the lair. He hadn't gone topside. He had decided to stay in the sewers for some reason. "Raphael!" Leonardo called. There was no response. He could sense his brother's breathing and could've sworn he heard his heart beat. "Raphael!" he didn't need to turn around to know he was behind him. "There you are. We've all been worried." He said turning to his red masked brother. Leonardo could sense a deep sadness coming from him and didn't exactly know what to do.

It was interesting how the confidence and comfort their morning meditations offered didn't quite translate to now, when things weren't as ok as he would like between himself and Raphael. "Wanna talk about it?" Leonardo asked. Raphael shrugged and Leonardo sat down on the sewer floor. He waited until Raphael followed suit.

"Did I hurt him bad?" Raphael asked his brother. "You seemed pretty mad. Sorry about that bro."

"That's alright my brother." They sat in silence more and Raphael could feel a question itching at Leonardo.

"Wanna spit it out Leo?"

"Why did you get so mad at me?" he asked finally. Raphael looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Whadda ya mean?" Raphael asked.

"You ran away," Leonardo explained. "and you looked so angry at me. I didn't think what I said was that bad. I'm just sorry it hurt you so much Raphael."

Raphael laughed at this. "Aw Leo, it wasn't that bro. Just, that's what Masta Splinter said to me when I came back to tell him about…" Raphael let the sentence trail off.

"Oh," Leonardo understood. "I'm sorry I used such a painful phrase for you. I didn't mean to I was just a little surprised when you attacked Mikey so harshly. I mean I know he's a goof ball but I didn't think it was as bad as to make him hobble."

Raphael nodded. He listened and tried to bite back all the comments that were naturally rising within him. He was still a fighter and didn't like that it seemed like Leonardo was talking down to him about something that really wasn't his fault. If Michelangelo had not been a tard this wouldn't have happened. But Raphael took deep breaths and calmed himself before he spoke. Wow, this meditation thing really does work. He chuckled inwardly. Leonardo could tell his brother was calming himself down and trying to speak with him instead of yell at him and fight.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have done that and I'll go and apologize to him when we get back the lair," Raphael smiled.

"Thank you Raphael." Leonardo said. "I know it took you some effort to speak calmly to me about this." He smiled lovingly at his brother. "I am sorry if it sounded like I was talking down to you," he explained. "I am just trying to be unbiased here and trying to look out for everyone in the family you know?"

Raphael nodded and stood up. "No problem. I understand that."

Leonardo chuckled. "Yeah I mean you are my favorite but I still have to look out for the goof ball." Raphael stopped. And before Leonardo could catch himself the words were out.

"Favorite huh?" Raphael asked. Leonardo blushed making his skin shine with a bit of pink. Raphael chuckled. He looks cute… wait. What! Raphael maintained his composure and put the spotlight on Leonardo since he didn't seem to notice Raphael internally blushing.

"Let's just go," Leonardo quickly said hurrying in front of Raphael.

"Well, took you long enough since I was your favorite. Weren't ya gonna come for me?" Raphael asked teasingly. Leonardo was so consumed in his world he didn't hear the hint of teasing in Raphael's tone.

"What! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to take so long! Just I was meditating because Donnie said something and it wasn't until he went back into my room and told me you weren't back that I realized that you weren't back and not that I hadn't noticed before just I was giving you your space since you looked so upset and…" Leonardo was cut off by Raphael.

"Leo, calm down. I was just joking. That's fine. Thanks for givin' me my space for a bit," he said. Raphael put his hand on Leonardo's shoulder and moved slowly to his neck. His thumb caressed his jaw and he smiled warmly at him. "You did good bro." he said. Leonardo smiled back and before he could really think things through – again – gave Raphael a hug.

Raphael didn't know how to react. He stood there with his arms open and his heart beat raced. What is going on with me! He slowly put his arms around Leonardo's shell and leaned in to return the hug.

Leonardo inhaled Raphael's scent and indulged in his warmth. He had never hugged his brother like this before. Not even as children did Leonardo and Raphael ever really hug. Now, it seemed like it was a poor decision. Raphael didn't seem to mind it either. Leonardo could feel himself blushing some more and slowly broke off his hug with Raphael. He looked up at him their faces inches apart and Leonardo's blush deepened. He quickly let go and walked toward the lair. Raphael stood there as he watched Leonardo walk briskly from him and he chuckled to himself softly.

He shoved Leo on the way, his very macho way of communicating his affection for his leader and they both knew it was ok. That this, at least, would be their secret.