A/N: Thanks to the reviewers. Your reviews make me so happy and they keep my plot bunny moving forward. Thank your fellow reviewers for Klunk's cameo in this chapter. And as promised, this chapter picks up where the last one left off.
Please note: Character thoughts are in italics. Computer chatting is in bold.
Disclaimer: I don't own a single mutant or ninja turtle.
Chapter 7-Two Steps Backwards
It had been a long night but Donatello couldn't sleep. After tossing and turning for the umpteenth time in the past hour, Donnie finally gave up. With a huff, Donatello left his warm bed and sat down at the desk in his room. Tapping the mouse, he woke his computer up from sleep mode.
When Donatello first rejoined with his brothers, the bo wielder quickly realized that each sibling contributed to the overall family's well-being in a unique way. Leonardo was the calm, focused leader, and overall big brother to the group. Raphael was the team's hot head and muscle, but he was also the most passionate brother. Raphael's independent nature sometimes drove him to argue with Leonardo, causing the red clad turtle to venture off alone. Yet the two eldest turtles shared one thing in common, both siblings were driven to protect and guide their younger brothers. Often Leo and Raph unconsciously paired up to safeguard their younger siblings.
Michelangelo's playfulness, empathy and easy-going nature allowed the youngest turtle to form a unique bond with his brothers. Hidden beneath every prank and joke was Mikey's commitment to ensuring the family remained close and happy.
And then there was Donatello. With his vast intellect and natural skills with electronics, Donnie contributed to his family's well-being by taking on the mantle of Mr. Fix It. Donnie's inventions made their home more comfortable, while his security measures ensured that the small clan would remain hidden in the sewers of New York City. But right now, Donnie was struggling with a more difficult problem, his eldest brother's behavior.
Donatello was brought out of his internal musings by an instant message on the computer screen.
Can't sleep Don?
Donatello chastised himself for his oversight. Aw shell, I forgot to turn off the instant messenger when I rebooted the computer.
Donnie stared at the message for a moment, pondering his options. I really should just ignore her. The frustrated teenager glanced around his darkened room. But she was always so easy to talk to. And Mira's good with psychology. Perhaps she can shed some light on Leo's behavior?
Before he could stop himself, Donatello's fingers took on a mind of their own as they flew across the keyboard. Soon Don was engrossed in recapping the sudden appearance of the Foot Clan from earlier that evening.
Michelangelo usually had no trouble falling asleep, except for tonight. He continued to stroke Klunk's soft, orange fur, as the small cat nestled against his side, purring like a locomotive. The orange masked turtle didn't understand how the day could turn sour so fast. Today started out pretty awesome. April finally got to meet my amazing bros. And I sure kicked Raph's shell on Ape's gaming system back at the apartment.
Then those Foot Ninja showed up. Mikey's eyes narrowed and he stopped petting Klunk. They ruined everything.
Klunk let out a mew at the sudden lack of affection. Mikey whispered his apologies then resumed stroking his pet. "Sorry Klunk."
Klunk replied by placing one paw across Mikey's forearm. The orange turtle leaned in closer, seeking comfort for his heavy thoughts, as he nuzzled his beak into Klunk's soft fur.
Unable to sleep, Raphael glared daggers at the ceiling over his bed. What I wouldn't give for some one on one time to bust some Foot Clan heads. Raph picked up a rubber ball from the stand near his bed. Tossing the ball into the air, Raph was careful to make sure it did not thump against the ceiling before it fell back down into his open palm. Raph continued to toss, then catch the ball, keeping his hands busy as he thought about his time among the Triceritons.
Raphael favored speaking with his fists than with his words. Living among the Triceriton's Raph's personal speaking style fit in quite well, most of the time. When the Triceriton Civil War ended, Traximus had taken a new mantle, as the new leader of the Triceriton's. Unlike Zanramon, who ruled as an individual with an iron fist, Traximus shaped the Triceriton Republic so that the voices of many held the power. As the Triceriton's brought in a new ruling authority, Traximus had shown the impulsive turtle the power of the spoken word. The backing of his fellow comrades helped Traximus during difficult times. The question is, how do I get Leonardo to trust me?
The next morning Leonardo was the first turtle in the dojo. The blue ninja was currently working his way through an intermediate level kata as he warmed up for that morning's training session. He heard Master Splinter enter before he turned to face him. It was unusual for the Ninjitsu Master to enter the dojo so early before practice.
Finishing the kata, Leo turned and bowed his head. "Sensei."
Master Splinter nodded, than sat down on a meditation mat. "Leonardo, kneel."
Puzzled by the early morning interruption, Leonardo obediently did as he was ordered.
Master and student sat in silence for a moment. As a social butterfly, it was easy to get Michelangelo to talk about what was on his mind when troubled. But Splinter was still learning how to guide and discipline his older sons, including Leonardo. Splinter had learned that his eldest son preferred to keep his thoughts to himself, instead of talking them through with others. And while it was expected for a leader to sometimes shoulder the burden for his teammates, it was not expected for a brother to do so as well. Leonardo had to learn how to balance his responsibilities as the leader of their small clan, with drawing on the support of his family to help him when he was troubled. Keeping secrets not only affected Leonardo's judgment when leading his brothers, it also disrupted the camaraderie among his teammates.
Unsure of how to get through to the leader, Splinter started by prompting Leonardo to talk. "Leonardo, is there something you are keeping from your brothers?"
What is he talking about? It can't be about the Foot Clan, can it? But I haven't said anything and besides I can't ask my family for help with the Foot. No, better to keep this to myself. Leonardo continued to stare at the floor as he lied to his father. "No sensei."
Splinter noticed the slight tension in the blue ninja's shoulders as he lied. Ok, let's give this one more try. "Are you certain Leonardo?"
Struggling to keep his face and body neutral, Leonardo continued with his lie. "Yes Master."
"I see." Splinter's tail whipped back and forth, a sign that he was dissatisfied with Leonardo's answer. Questioning hasn't been working. Raphael responds to physical prodding, perhaps some knuckle pushups will get my son to open up?
Deciding to try a different tactic, Splinter's voice was sharp as he barked his orders. "Twenty minutes. Knuckle push-ups. Now!"
Puzzled by the sudden punishment, Leonardo moved into push-up position.
As the blue clad turtle got into push-up position, he had to bite back a growl of frustration. Sometimes, I just don't understand what Master Splinter wants from me!
Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello entered the dojo to find Leonardo doing knuckle push-ups. Standing in front of him was an agitated Master Splinter.
Mikey recognized the punishment immediately. Splinter usually made him do push-ups or back flips when he spoke out of turn, or when he was lying. Mikey hated doing knuckle push-ups. If he had to be punished, Mikey preferred back-flips. Gee I wonder what Leo did to anger Master Splinter?
Splinter's ears flicked, detecting his sons entering the dojo.
"Michelangelo, assist your brother."
The orange clad turtle paused mid stride. "Sensei?"
Master Splinter turned to face Michelangelo, his voice stern. "Would you rather join Leonardo in his punishment instead?"
Mikey stammered his reply. "N-n-no S-Se-Sensei." The orange masked turtle quickly took his spot on Leo's shell as the push-ups continued.
Raphael and Donatello looked at each other.
"Donnie?"
Donatello shrugged his shoulders. "Don't look at me Raph, I walked in here the same time you did."
Splinter ignored his sons as he spoke to Leonardo. The blue masked turtle was sweating heavily. His arms were beginning to shake from Mikey's weight on his shell.
"Leonardo, do you care to change your answer?"
Leo let out a grunt before he responded. "Urgh. No Master."
Splinter's eyes narrowed. "I see." The frustrated father continued to circle his son. He noticed that Leonardo was starting to tire. Perhaps some extra weight would convince him to start talking?
"Raphael, switch places with Michelangelo."
Leonardo wanted to once again let out a groan of frustration. He didn't understand why Splinter was punishing him. At least when Master Shredder was angry with him, Leonardo knew right away exactly why he was in trouble. But with Splinter, it was a guessing game. The rat master expected his sons to figure out their error on their own. Leo began running through all the possible reasons why he could be in trouble. He had shown up for practice early. They were not seen by anyone outside of their enemies while on patrol. No one arrived back at the lair injured. Leonardo had not abandoned his duties as leader, his brothers were still under his protection. Is it because of the notes from the Foot Clan? It can't be, I haven't show them to anyone. How could he know about them? Or maybe it was because of last night? But the Foot Elite were talking in Japanese. No one would have known what they were saying to me.
Leonardo finally let a groan escape him. His arms quivered from exhaustion and Raphael's added weight on his shell really wasn't helping.
Splinter continued to circle around the young leader. My son, you do not have to shoulder these burdens alone. How do I convince you to share your past with your family?That it is ok to turn to us for help?
Leonardo's stubborn streak was one of the many qualities that made him a fine leader. It was also going to lead the blue masked leader to injure himself before he would confess. Realizing that trying to force Leonardo to talk wasn't going to work, Splinter decided to change tactics once more. He would try to talk to Leonardo again after practice.
Recognizing that his sons all looked tired, Master Splinter led the small team through a light training session. After a long period of meditation, he directed the group through a series of katas. The ninjitsu master introduced two new one's at the end of the class.
Once the session was finished, Master Splinter summoned Leonardo to his room, preventing anyone else from questioning the eldest turtle.
Raph turned to his brothers. "What was all that about?"
Donatello had his hand cupping his chin as he mused outloud. "If I had to guess, I would say that it looks like Master Splinter is trying to get Leonardo to talk. Probably about the Foot Clan."
Mikey turned to the resident hot head, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to find out what he says."
Intrigued, Donatello asked. "How?"
Bounding away Mikey whispered over his shoulder. "By eavesdropping on Master Splinter and Leo."
Raph and Donnie scrambled after Mikey as he quietly headed towards Master Splinter's room.
Leonardo sat with his head bowed as he waited for his Master to speak. Leo tried not to tense up in anticipation of the confrontation he was sure was coming. After his earlier punishment, it was clear that Master Splinter was aware that Leonardo was hiding something. And Leonardo was not ready to talk about it. What Leo did not expect, was for Master Splinter to start speaking in riddles.
Master Splinter sat in front of his son. Taking a silent breath, he once again tried to get his eldest son to open up to his family. "My son, should you ever feel the burden of leader is more than you can bear alone, do not hesitate to call upon the strength of your brothers."
Leonardo looked up in confusion. "Master?"
Splinter leaned back on his heels as he looked into his son's eyes. "Tell me Leonardo, would you support one of your brothers during a time of need?"
Meeting his sensei's steady gaze with one of his own, Leo didn't even take a breath before responding. "Of course Sensei."
The old rat leaned forward and swiftly untied the cloth on Leo's bicep, exposing the symbol of the Foot Clan. "One cannot escape their past. Your past is a part of you my son. Yet how you chose to deal with it in the present, will decide your future."
Splinter leaned back, his black eyes stern. "Leonardo, a leader is responsible for bringing order to his team. Keeping secrets not only clouds a leader's judgment, it also impacts his fellow teammates."
Master Splinter's ear twitched as he detected the eavesdroppers. Then he focused his attention back to the bewildered teenager in front of him. "When you are ready, your family can help you. All you have to do, is let them."
Splinter let the silence linger, hoping his words would sink in before dismissing the young leader.
Distracted by his session with Master Splinter, Leonardo silently entered his room. Leo was oblivious to the three figures hiding in the shadows.
Unfortunately for the three eavesdroppers, Master Splinter was not distracted. His stern tone rang out. "Michelangelo! Donatello! Raphael! Dojo, now!"
Three guilty turtles emerged from the shadows and walked towards the dojo.
Under Master Splinter's orders, everything in the lair returned almost back to normal. Tension in the air continued to build, yet no one questioned Leonardo about the Foot Clan. And Leonardo continued to keep his past and his thoughts to himself.
Visits to April's became a weekly occurrence, along with Donatello's trips to a local junkyard for supplies. The team of four continued their nightly patrols from the rooftops of the city. While the activity on the streets continued to escalate, the turtles rarely ran across the Foot Clan during their patrols. Nightly skirmishes involved the Mob, The Purple Dragons or stopping various other smaller organizations trying to gain control of the city.
With the turtles fighting skills as a team progressing well, Master Splinter turned to strengthening the bond between the brothers as a family. And this included sharing in common, daily chores. If my sons feel like they are part of a family and can trust one another, perhaps they will stop trying to hide their pasts from each other.
A/N: It looks like Splinter and Leo have more in common than they think, they are both stubborn. In the next chapter it's time for some brotherly bonding time, don't you agree? Virtual banana split sundaes to those who review.
