THis new heat has really been affecting my writing. Took a while to actually finish this one, but i'm getting use to it so the next chapter should be coming up a lot faster.

So here's to you my fellow readers.


Chapter 3

The TV blared through the lair, spreading the useless and over dramatized techno music to every room. Don sat in his lab, wearing headphones and staring dumbly at the blank document on his screen. He couldn't stop thinking about Leo, and how he wasn't feeling well, but he went to Leatherhead instead of him. He couldn't help but feel betrayed, Don could have helped Leo, but why did he insist on going to Leatherhead.

He didn't know why, but he couldn't concentrate. So he took off his headphones, not bothering to turn the music off and walked out of his lab. Mikey and Leo were sitting on the couch, Mikey focused on his movie, and Leo just kind of staring.

Don heard Raph in the training room, lifting weights, so he didn't bother. He walked to the back of the couch and felt a disturbed pinch as he focused on Leo. He wanted to ask why, but decided to just leave it be, or at least try.

Then the thought came to him, he quickly retreated back into his office, shut the door and took out his shell cell. Something in his stomach told him to just let it go, but the betrayal feeling over took it and he punched in Leatherheads number.

The phone rings a few times, then he answers.

"Hello?"

"Hey LH, I have a quick question."

"Sure, go ahead."

Don felt his heart hammer for some reason, "Leo told us he went to you yesterday…"

Leatherhead seemed as if at a loss of words. "Yes," He said shortly.

"Well, I mean…I know its stupid…but I'm just curious…did he mention why he didn't come to me?"

Leatherhead takes a breath, "It was pretty serious, he seemed to be in a lot of pain, I would think he would have gone to you, but he needed someone close by." He said.

Don's face flattened with confusion, "What do you mean a lot of pain?"

"Donatello, he's suffering!" Leatherhead said, sounding serious.

"It's just the flu, how is he in a lot of pain?" Don asked, wanting a straight forward answer.

Leatherhead was quiet, "Yes…yes of course." He said softly, then suddenly "I'm sorry Donatello, but I must go. It was nice talking to you."

"Yeah, nice talking to you too."

Leatherhead hung up almost instantly, Don blinked uncertainly, then closed his phone.

He sounded just as confused as Don is. It was like he thought Don was talking about something completely different.

Just as he thought this, someone's shell cell rung. Don jerked his head toward the door and listened, "Hello?" Leo's voice said.

Don rushed out of his chair and toward his door, opening it slightly. Leo was no longer on the couch, he searched around and saw him hurrying up the stairs. Don slipped out of his office just as Leo disappeared into his room. He glanced at Mikey, who had fallen asleep on the couch. Raph was still in the training room, and Splinter was somewhere.

Don's heart started beating rapidly as he snuck up the stairs and tiptoed to Leo's door. He placed his ear against the wood and listened.

"-ow, Listen LH, you don't understand what I'm going through here. I have to do this for them."

Silence.

"I don't feel like talking about this over the phone-"

"Donatello!" A sudden and sharp voice cried.

Don jumped and turned around, seeing Splinter come out of Mikey's room. "What are you doing?"

Don momentarily was to shocked to speak, he nervously looked around, "Uhh, I was checking to see if Leo was in his room."

Splinter lowered his eyes, trying to see though Don, "Follow me." Splinter said, turning and heading for the stairs. Don sighed, glancing back at Leo's door, wondering.

"Donatello!"

"I'm coming." He groaned, then followed Splinter downstairs and into the training room. Raph stopped lifting weights and watched them walk in, "Raphael, sit up!" Splinter snapped. Raph grunted, then set the weight back on the stand and sat up.

"You two practice, I'll be back later to tell you when to stop." He said strictly, then walked out.

"What the hell!" Raph said.

….

Splinter sat on the sofa, watching his soap opera's for the past hour, sipping on his tea. The sound of his sons practicing in the training room kept him focused on the time.

Splinter felt himself getting older, which saddened him. He knew that Leonardo would have to take care of his brothers until they are ready to take care of themselves. But Leonardo still had a lot to learn, and there's not enough time. And that careless move he pulled yesterday did not sit well with Splinter. He was worried that Leonardo has become reckless and forgetting everything he had learned about honor and discipline.

He will have to have a serious talk with him. But for now, he must keep a clear mind and try to discipline Donatello and Raphael. He knew Donatello wasn't checking to see if Leonardo was awake, but what he really was doing, Splinter didn't know. And Raphael, he's become too distant. Splinter thought it be best to force him in a room with Donatello for a while, try to get back into reality that his brothers need him.

Once the clock struck five o'clock, he stood up slowly and walked into training room. "Enough!" He snapped. Don and Raph stopped, bruised, sweaty, and tired. Splinter nodded, "That will be all." Then walked out.

Raph caught his breath, "Thank god." He stretched his arm and walked out of the training room. Don stayed back and took a seat on the floor, catching his breath, but also in thought about what Leo was talking about. It was clear to him that Leatherhead had called Leo right after he hung up with him.

He shook his head in confusion, got up and walked out of the training room, searching the room for Leo. He spotted Mikey walk out of the bathroom, "Hey Mike, where's Leo?"

Mikey shrugged, "Think he went topside again."

Don groaned, "Are you serious?!"

"Don't worry," Mikey said quickly, "Splinter already laid into him and told him to be back no later then seven."

Don sighed, nodded, then walked into his office. He closed the door and instantly felt alone in the world, he sat in his chair and stared at the blank document on the screen. He didn't know what was going on with Leo, and truly, he was to stressed to go any further. What with Splinter breathing down his neck. He shook his head, placed the headphones over his ears and instantly tuned out the entire situation and focused on his work.

Leatherhead shook his head disappointingly, "I don't know why you are doing, but I think you are making a big mistake."

"LH, I already told you, I don't care weather I live or die. As long as my family is out of harms way." Leo claimed, head in hand.

"But my friend, you still have people that care about you! They don't want to see you go so quickly, and especially knowing that you were working with Shredder." Leatherhead said, getting off his chair.

"I'm working with Shredder because if I do, he will leave my brothers alone after I'm gone."

"And how are you so sure that he will keep his word?" Leatherhead leaned over his table, eyeing Leo with concern. Leo looked to the ground, not knowing what to say. This was the thought that made Leo most nervous, he in fact doesn't know if Saki will keep his promise.

"Shredder is known for…well…being an asshole, excuse my language." He said, his deep, gruff voice always made him sound angry, but now, Leo could hear his seriousness and concern in his voice.

"I know…but I can't leave them alone…The shredder will know and my brothers would be history. I can't…I can't just give up."

Leatherhead closed his eyes and shook his head, "I don't agree with what your doing, but if you think its what's right. Then I won't argue with you. Just know that I'm always here if you need me."

Leo, for once in awhile, smiled. "Thank you Leatherhead."

….

It was almost two o'clock, and Leo lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The dull, constant pain kept him from getting any sleep, plus the nervousness that followed. He was so scared as to see what Saki had planned for him.

Leo didn't know what to expect. But he knew it wasn't going to be good.

"Are you kidding me!" Raph shouted at Leo, who was talking to Splinter. Leo closed his eyes and ignored him, "Father, please."

Splinter contemplated, knowing he shouldn't let him. But he couldn't control him anymore, he's going to be leader soon, so he must start making his own choices, weather Splinter liked it or not.

Splinter closed his eyes and nodded, "If you wish."

Leo nodded, "Thank you sensei." He said, glared at Raph with a smirk, then headed for the door. Raph grunted and backhanded a vase, sending it shattering against the ground. "What the hell Raph!" Mikey shouted as he and Don quickly went to pick up the vase. Raph disappeared into the training room as Splinter stood in his spot, looking at the ground in disappointment.

Leo knew this was a bad time to leave, but he had to. He sighed, pulled the lever and exited the lair. Don looked up at Leo, Leo looked back. Their eyes connected, without even saying anything, they knew what each other were thinking.

How can you leave at a time like this? Our family is falling apart and you just have to leave.

I'm sorry Donnie, I'm doing this for you guys.

The lair door slowly begins to close, and they still stared into each others eyes. I'm sorry Donnie. The door slams shut. This is for you guys.

….

Leo's went numb when the headquarters came into view, he groaned anxiously and reluctantly pushed on toward the building. They were expecting him, but he didn't know if that meant in the good way or the bad way. He expected then to tackle him to the ground, then force him by the tip of their blade to Saki.

Or they could stand away from him, line up side by side while he slowly walks to Saki's room. Giving him an honorary entrance. Not likely.

He mounted a nearby ladder and began climbing down. Suddenly, his throat tightened, forcing a abrupt hacking. He stopped and coughed, then the coughing continued as he quickly climbed the rest of the way down, then stumbled into the wall as the coughing grew worse and worse.

He slide to the ground and held his breath, knowing it would most likely make it worse, but he had to try. And after a few seconds, he took a deep breath and pushed himself back to his feet.

After a few more seconds of almost passing out, he stopped in front of the building. Glancing up at it with terror, he noticed two foot ninjas at the gate slowly approach him. He tensed with anxiety as one of them drew his sword. They stopped in front of him, both eyeing each other with hate.

"Hello Leonardo." The foot with the sword said.

Leo shivered, deathly afraid of what will happen next.

Behind the mask, the foot ninja smiled, "We've been expecting you."