TMNT

A/N: The promised Raph/Leo piece. I hope you enjoy. Do review a story if you enjoy it. Based off season 4, the beginning of it at any rate, you know when Leo was pretending to be Raph.

Raphael had been waiting for days to get Leo properly alone; he was about ready to give his younger brother the beating of his life for acting so much… well, so much like him. Unfortunately, other little brothers had been running interference, distracting him just as he was about to haul Leo off for a good stern talking to. Though most times talking wasn't what he had in mind.

He knew he and Leo didn't have the best relationship sometimes (only because Leo kept trying to play Big big brother, just because he was the leader), but honestly, the other's should trust him more. He knew when to differentiate between being 'Normal hot-headed Raphael' and 'Big brother Raphie'. Though Leo deserved a bit of the first definition what with the way he'd been acting lately.

But the others had all gone out, even Splinter, over to Aprils for the evening. Leo had pleaded out, predictably, saying he wanted to train more. Raph had just grunted a no and it had been left at that. So now he was alone with Leo, exactly how had wanted it for the last few days.

Now there were those who mistook Raphael's way of studying his brother and not actually making conversation, as his uncertainty over how to deal with the situation. And while Raph had never before had to deal with Leo in this black mood, his silence was not out of uncertainty. He knew exactly what to do with this particular little brother; it was just waiting for the right time to implement his plan.

So he waited, his arms crossed, leaning against one of the large pillars, watching Leo train. Waiting.

"What do you want Raphael?" Leo questioned shortly.

"You mean beside's my little brother back?" Raph asked right back.

He saw the grimace that passed over Leo's face, and nodded inwardly, he knew his brother well.

There was silence for a long time, settling between them almost like a separate entity, watching them. Raphael waited, because he knew exactly what Leo was going to ask next. Those who didn't know them would never understand how Raphael could be so patient, not when he was normally so impatient. They had obviously never had three younger brothers to watch out for; patience and impatience went hand in hand, like a twisted oxymoron. You learned when to stop and listen.

"Want to spar?" Leo asked finally.

"Sure." Raph pulled his sai from his belt, twirled them once before gripping them tightly, waiting for Leo to make the first move.

And move he did.

Weapons clashed, there was none of the usual jumping, spinning, kicking, punching, just weapon against weapon, each trying to push the other back, locked in a struggle of wills that would end in only one way. They both knew that, but it was a game. A lead up to the main event.

Finally Leo dropped his swords, letting them clatter to the floor in defeat. Raph nodded and his sai were returned to their place on his belt. It was time to talk.

"There a reason you're acting like me lately?" Raph asked quietly.

Leo shrugged.

"Leo!" he warned, letting a hint of a growl enter his tone, he needed Leo to know he wasn't getting out of this. "What the shell is up with you?"

There was no response. That was fine, Raphael was going to do most of the talking anyway, he had known that from the start.

"It's the shredder, isn't it?" he didn't wait for a response. "You think you failed us."

"I did." Leo said.

"Would love to know how?" Raph challenged. "You made a decision Leo. A tough one, and one I'm glad the Utroms helped us out of, but I don't see how you failed us."

"I couldn't come up with a better plan." Leo stated, softly, voice laced with guilt. "Some leader I am."

Raph nodded to himself, root of the problem right there. "Your right, some leader you are."

Leo looked up at him then, startled. Raph normally steered away from baiting him when they were like this. His gaze dropped guiltily then. He supposed he deserved it.

"I mean, you made the decision to blow up that power coil didn't you? Knowing it would kill all of us. Hell if it hadn't been for the Utroms we'd be dead right about now wouldn't we?" Raph ignored the continued and persistent guilt on Leo's face as he spoke. "Hell, if the Utrom's hadn't been there the Shredder could be dead right about now too. But so would we, and that's not a good thought, is it Leo? But you made that decision."

Leo's shoulders slumped with every recrimination.

"I couldn't have." Raph admitted quietly, startling Leo into looking up again. "I couldn't have made that decision. Even knowing it was our only choice to defeat him. I couldn't have done it. That's why you're the Leader Leo, and I know I rag you about it, and I always will, but you're the leader because you can make those kinds of decisions. I couldn't. Give up my life for any one of you, in a flash, but make a decision that could kill you? Even if it saved the universe. Couldn't do it Leo. I don't have that kind of strength."

"Strength?" Leo snorted in derision.

Raph's eyes softened completely and he took a single step forward and pulled Leo towards him. He knew he hadn't gotten through, not completely at any rate. It was more something Leo would have to do himself. But he did know that somewhere in his little brother's twisted little brain he understood what Raph was trying to tell him.

Leo gave into the hug gratefully. And Raph held him. He had never understood why he had to play this game with Leo to get to this point, Donnie and Mikey were easy, when they were upset about anything all he had to do was reel them in for a half hug, and if that didn't help then they talked. But then, Leo always had been the awkward one.

Raph just hoped he'd sort himself out soon; he didn't like not being able to take away the pain of his brothers.

Emm, I was originally going to do a sort of chibi one with Leo being give the role of the leader, but Season 4 gave me a rather interesting opening. I don't particularly like Leo, and I just wanted someone to bash him on the head the whole time, but I figured I'd highlight Raph's big brotherness. Trust me, I have two little brothers, and I act a lot like Raph (minus the going out and bashing heads), you know, quick temper and things, but you do learn to sit and be patience when the time calls for it, even if it is listening to one of the brats going on for hours about some new computer game. I also wanted to keep it with the series in a way, so Raph couldn't take away Leo's self recrimination, but he tried, and he offered what comfort he could. Next one-shot is going to be amusing (for me at least)

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