Thanks for coming over to read the next part! This is happier now! Still has angst in it though This is leo once he's healed! Enjoy

These Scars

Leo bowed to his Sensei with a small smile, he had completed yet another training course which meant he was back at the level he should be.

''Well done leonardo'' Splinter smiled, ''You've done very well''

''Thank you Sensei'' Leo grinned.

''Now I must ask.. You've had those bandages on for a year now..'' Splinter frowned, ''Why haven't you taken them off''

Leo's grin quickly fell off his face and he bit his lip. he looked over at his brothers for reassurance.

They just nodded and smiled at him but leo sighed.

''I'm just not ready'' He answered weakly.

''Ready for what?'' Splinter asked worriedly.

''Master'' Don interrupted, ''Can we speak to leo alone for a sec?''

Splinter nodded and left the dojo.

''leo'' Don smiled gently, ''You're better now. You haven't cut in a year and you're back to being good old you! Taking off these bandages and admitting your past is closure.. Once you've done that you'll be completely healed!''

''Please leo'' Mikey begged.

''We just wanna see you better'' Raph nodded softly. leo sighed and nodded,

''Fine'' he unwrapped the bandages to reveal the many scars he had left, He looked at them and was reminded of past pain. he cringed as he put his hand over his left wrist and felt the scars underneath.

He felt a hand grip his wrist softly, he looked up to see his brothers smiling.

''You've done it leo'' Don nodded. ''You're free''

''We're proud of you bro'' Raph grinned. Mikey flung his arms around leo's neck, Leo hugged him close as tears came to his eyes.

He was free.. he was actually free! He had survived his depression! he'd stopped self harming! he was better and.. he wasn't numb anymore! he felt loved and happy again!

Mikey's arms tightened around him as Leo let out a shuddering breath.

''I-I'm free'' leo breathed, ''I've survived and now I'm free''

The brother congratulated their leader and grinned.

''Way ta go!'' they grinned.

Splinter came back into the dojo.

''My sons'' he smiled as his children turned to face him. his eyes widened at Leo's bare arms. ''Leonardo.. You have taken off the bandages'' He smiled before noticing the white lines. ''What are those? Scars?''

he stepped towards Leo and the boy stepped back and cringed.

''leo'' Leo looked over at his brothers. ''it's ok''

Leo stood still as his father took his hand and turned them until the scars were on display.

Splinter stared with wide eyes and stroked the scars with his thumbs.

leo wanted to pull back and hide but the reassuring looks from his brothers made his refrain from doing so.

''What have you done'' Splinter breathed,

''Huh?'' leo frowned.

''This was a very dishonourable action'' Splinter straightened up and backed away from leo with a look of disgust. ''What possibly could have caused you to do such a disgusting thing?''

Leo stared in shock and sadness, he gasped as his heart ached and broke.

''M-master'' leo stuttered.

''How could you harm yourself'' Splinter spat, ''All our lives have been spent protecting one another and THIS is how you repay us!? By trying to kill yourself!?''

''I-.. I'm sorry'' leo looked at the ground as his tears fell onto his cheeks.

''Sensei.. He's not doing it anymore'' Donnie frown.

''Quiet Donatello'' Splinter snapped but Raphael stepped forward angrily with his brothers slightly behind him.

''no! We've spent the last year trying to help Leo and we're not gonna let ya toss all that away!'' Raph growled, ''Leo has tried so hard to put himself together and now he's confident enough to admit it and this is how you're gonna treat him!? HE'S STILL YOUR SON! NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES!''

Splinter's frown deepened as he was about to shout back but was stopped as leo ran out the dojo, His expression softened into one of guilt.

''Leo'' Mikey sighed.

Splinter followed the sad turtle, he pushed the bedroom door open and paused at the scene in front of him.

Leonardo was sitting on the floor shivering and scratching at his wrists.

''What are you doing?'' Splinter asked gently.

''The guys threw all my razors away'' Leo mumbled quietly,

''Leonardo.. I'm sorry about the way I acted'' Splinter sighed as he knelt in front of leo, ''I was just shocked and scared by the news... It does not excuse my actions but.. you should know.. I'm proud of you for fighting it and getting better''

''My brothers helped'' leo shrugged.

''yes but it was you that had to put the real effort into it'' Splinter smiled gently, ''Promise me you'll never cut again''

''I promise.. father'' leo smiled as his father hugged him and left the room.

''These scars..'' leo smiled, ''these scars show who I used to be and how I saved myself.. They show that anything is possible''

''leo?'' leo looked up to see his brothers smiling.

''You want some cake?'' Mikey grinned. leo laughed and nodded as he followed his brothers down to the kitchen.

Cuts turn to scars as time goes past

and Bad things pass and turn to good things in time.

It gets better..

Believe me.

And there we go.. Hopefully that'll be the last self harm fic I'll ever write! Please Review xx