Chapter 3: Loss, Lies and Video

A couple of hours after the turtles left in search of their brother, they returned to the lair. Splinter could not help the look of concern and disappointment that flashed across his face when only three of his sons entered. All three were soaked from the melted snow that covered their clothes, fear and uncertainty showing on their young faces.

Splinter tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat as Raphael carefully handed him his eldest son's blue handled swords, still in their sheathes.

Raph growled under his breath as he tossed Leo's shell cell onto the table. The red light that indicated a missed call was still blinking. Michaelangelo clutched, what looked liked Leonardo's coat, close to his chest. Splinter noticed the blood stains on it, confirming the overwhelming, metallic scent that reached his sensitive nose moments before his sons had entered the lair.

"What has happened my sons?" Splinter finally found his voice.

Mikey looked away. Raph paced back and forth, his hands clenched into tight fists. Don sighed, that just leaves him to explain. And he wasn't even sure what had happened.

Don cleared his throat. "Um...the-the snow had covered any sign of a struggle. No foot prints. Nothing. We found his cell and swords and then h-his jacket."

"We know who to blame!" Raph blasted, but continued his steady rhythm of pacing.

"We don't know what exactly happened," Don clarified. "But we do know who is behind it." He held up a shiny black DVD with a bright red flame on it.

"We found this with his coat."

"I see," Splinter sighed. "Donatello, please put it into the DVD player and we shall see if it indicates what has happened to Leonardo."

Don moved to the entertainment unit and slid the disk into place as everyone gathered around. The image on the screen was shaky and blurry at first, but it quickly zoomed in to the rooftop that they had just left. Everyone stared wide eyed when Raphael appeared on the screen.

"What the shell...." Raph's mouth went dry.

"I thought you weren't there?" Mikey threw his brother a puzzled look.

"I wasn't," Raph growled.

"Shhh!" Don threw his hand up. "Look."

Leonardo jumped into view and approached his brother.

"Turn it up," Don told Mikey.

Mikey hit the volume button until the voices could be heard.

"...everything OK? Aren't you suppose to be at a hockey game with Casey?"

"I'm going to meet him there."

"I was with Casey all day," Raph blasted. "I didn't meet him, we left his apartment together!"

Casey nodded.

"Who is recording this?" Mikey exclaimed.

"How would I know! I told you I wasn't there," Raph yelled.

"It looks to me like you're there," Mikey shot back.

"Guys," Don interrupted.

"My sons, please!" Splinter held his hands up to silence them.

"Important? What is it then?"

"Would you do anything for the family?"

Everyone watched in silence as Leonardo and Raphael conversed on the television. When Raph attacked his brother on screen, Mikey jumped to his feet and spun around to face Raph.

"What is wrong with you?" he screamed.

His younger brother's outburst was the only thing that could pull his eyes off the screen.

"I-I didn't do that.," his voice trailed off. He shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut, hoping that when he opened them again something different would be on the T.V.

"Liar!" Mikey stepped toward him.

"I said I wasn't there! I don't know what this is!" Raph took a defense stance.

"Guys shut up!" Donny grabbed the remote from Mikey and hit max on the volume.

"Well done, kame."

"Our deal?"

"Master Shredder will honor the arrangement."

"No," Raph whispered under his breath.

"The turtle, Leonardo, in exchange for your family's indefinite safety."

The screen went blank.

"You gave Leo over to the Shredder?" Mikey was shaking. "How could you?"

Raph looked around the room, he felt like everyone's stare was stabbing through him.

Don turned to face him, his face was pale and a deep frown stretched across his face. "Did you think that we would just go along with this?"

Raph's brow furrowed. "You too Donny?"

"What do expect us..."

"I expect you to have a little faith in me! Trust me!"

"The video.."

Splinter knew the next words out his hot tempered son's mouth would not be for mixed company.

"Enough!" He stepped between them and laid a comforting paw on his angered son. Raph wanted to shake it off and leave.

"I believe you," Splinter said.

Raph gave him a look of disbelief. "Wh-wha...you do?"

"Of course," Splinter replied gently. "I know you would never do that to one of your brothers. I raised you, Raphael, and as a father I know."

"Thank you Father," Raph said under his breath as he turned toward the main door.

"Where are you going?" Splinter called after him.

"Out," Raph barked back, glaring at Don and Mikey.

"No," Splinter said simply.

"What? Why?" Raph was feeling closed in.

"We still are unsure what has happened. It would not be wise to venture out just yet," he explained.

"I am going to meditate on this. Raphael, I wish to see you in an hour." Splinter slowly made his way to his room.

Raph growled and headed for the dojo, only to be cut off by Mikey calling for him. He stopped but didn't turn around.

"I-I'm sorry," Mikey said.

Raph spun around and within two strides, he was standing in front of Mikey.

"Save it Michaelangelo," he spat. " Five minutes ago you were ready to feed me to the wolves!"

Mikey opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the words, so he just shut it and hung his head.

"Heh, that's what I thought," Raph sneered.

"Wait a minute Raph." Don came to Mikey's defense.

"I don't want to hear it from you either brainiac, you thought the same thing!"

"Yes," Don agreed. "Yes, I did. But put yourself in our place. If that was me attacking Mikey, or Leo attacking me on that tape, you wouldn't even have waited to pound someones head in!"

Raph shifted uncomfortably, Don had a point.

"But we should of gave you the benefit of the doubt. We didn't, and I for on am sorry."

"Whateva," Raph snorted and crossed his arms.

"I'm going to check out this DVD," Don said as he ejected it from the player.

"You do that, I'll be in the dojo." Raph turned and left.

Don sighed. "It will be alright Mikey. He'll cool off."

"Yeah, but will he forgive us?" Mikey mumbled as he started to clean up the living room.