Duplicity

"Du-plic-i-tyn. 1. Deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech. 2. The quality or state of being twofold or double." (The American Heritage College Dictionary)

AN.Sorry for the long wait. Here's the next chapter. Many thanks go to my beta-reader, Nekotsuki.

Disclaimer: The Turtles and all their friends are the property of Mirage Studios. The quote for this story is from The Phantom of the Opera. I do not own them, but am grateful for the opportunity to use them in the unleashing of my own imagination.

Rating: This story is rated T for violence and battle related injury. Language is very mild.


Chapter 7

Masquerade, every face a different shade...


One hand rested on top of the pizza boxes which were balanced precariously on a ledge ten stories above the pavement; the other was idly twirling a single sai as he stared out across the New York City skyline. He knew that he was late. His brothers had expected him to come back with the pizza and their estranged brother half an hour ago.

Raphael recalled how it was that their plans had changed. Originally, the other two had intended to join him to visit with Leonardo. However, Master Splinter had had other ideas.

It was breakfast time and Mike had made some of his delicious pancakes. As they ate, they discussed what they would talk about with Leo that night.

"We need to start thinking about our plan of attack against the Foot. If we're gonna take the offense here then we need to be prepared. The sooner we start planning, the better."

"Aw, c'mon Raph," Mike complained as he poured chocolate syrup over his plate. "Can't we put that off for a while? We just got him back. We should just spend some brotherly bonding time with him, you know? Catch up on things."

Don shook his head. "No, Mike. Raph's right. They'll be plenty of time for brotherly bonding after he's home for good. I, for one, don't want to leave Leo there for any longer thean we have to." After taking a sip of orange juice, he continued. "Now, with Leo's inside knowledge of the Foot, I'm willing to bet I could hack into their security systems, easy. Once I'm in, I can study their inner workings, and when it comes time for the attack I'll be able to disable cameras, alarms, whatever we need."

"Right and I'm sure Leo will be able to get us some maps of the building and stuff." Raph nodded.

"I only wish I could bring my computer with me tonight. I still need a few more parts before I can get that laptop up and running. I mean, if Leo can give me the security codes I should be able to get in fine but I could do it a lot faster with him there to help me out in case we run into any unexpected blocks."

"Donatello,." t The three brothers turned to see their Sensei walk into the kitchen. "If you cannot bring your computer to Leonardo, then perhaps you can bring Leonardo to your computer."

"What do you mean, Master Splinter?" Michelangelo asked.

The rat took his time in answering. He went to the counter and poured himself a cup of tea before taking it to the table and sitting down. "I mean, Michelangelo, that rather thean the three of you going out to meet with Leonardo tonight, Leonardo, should be invited to come here."

Smiles of understanding came from his sons. "That'd be great.," Donatello said. "Then we could do everything from here."

"Yeah, and working out attack plans will be a lot easier with more light." Raph agreed

"Ooh! And we can have pizza! No better chance for brotherly bonding thean around a deep dish supreme.," Mikey insisted, earning chuckles from his brothers.

"It is decided then.," Splinter said.

After that, the day had continued just fine. Everyone was in good spirits, eager to see Leonardo again. Mike in particular had seemed to want to make a good impression because he'd gone on a cleaning spree. Donny had also busied himself with his computer, making sure it was running smoothly. When the time came to pick up the pizza and bring Leo back, Raph had been the only one available to do so.

Now, he stood waiting. tThe pizza was starting to get cold and he knew that Mike and Don were probably starting to wonder what was taking so long.

Almost on cue, his shell cell rang. Sighing, he picked up the phone and held it to the side of his head. "Yes?"

"Where are you bro? We're starving over here, you know." Mikey's voice rang through the phone.

"Chill Mikey. I'll be back soon."

"You convinced him to come back with you, right?"

Raph rolled his eyes and casually glanced around the rooftop. "No, Mikey. Leo isn't even here yet. But I'm sure he'll come. Don't worry.

"Alright, fine. But hurry up okay? We're dying in here."

"Will do, Mikey. Bye." Hanging up, Raph chuckled to himself and returned his gaze to the stars. It didn't remain there long however, as another voice interrupted him.

"Actually, I am here."

Raph spun around to see his older brother leaning against an old shed, still half shrouded in darkness. He smiled. "Hey, bro. Good to see you."

Leonardo stepped into the dim light provided by the security lamp on the rooftop. "Good to see you too, Raph. So tell me, why aren't Mike and Don here?"

"They're back at the lair. We were um… kinda hopin' you could come over. You know, see the lair, have some pizza… talk to Master Splinter?" He looked at his brother hopefully. "Ya know he really wants to see you."

"Yeah, I bet…" Leo muttered. He seemed to consider for a moment, looking out over the city. "I don't know Raph… I just… it's too soon."

Raph frowned and walked over to his brother, clapping a hand on his shell. "C'mon bro, we're family. It ain't ever to soon to be back together again. Besides, it's just a visit. What could go wrong?"

For less than a second, Raph thought he saw something flash through Leo's eyes. But before he could identify what it was, it was gone, replaced by the friendly if somewhat distant gaze that his brother had held since his sudden return.

"Alright Raph. I'll go. But only for a little while. I don't want Saki to get suspicious."

TTTT

They'd barely entered the lair when Mike had rushed up beside them. "Leo! Good to see you, bro!"

Leo blinked, surprised, as he received a hug from his enthusiastic brother. "Um… good to see you too Mike."

"Sheesh, Mike. Let him breathe." Donny came over from his computer with a smile. "Welcome to our home, Leo. Glad you could come."

Leo stared around the lair, taking in everything from the huge archways to the TV monolith. "This place is amazing."

"I know, isn't it? Why don't you come with me and I'll give you the grand tour?" Donny asked

Mikey was there in an instant. "No way! I'm giving him the tour. You'll just show him all the boring stuff."

"Mike, if he goes with you, the only thing he'll see is your comic book collection."

"Well, it is the coolest thing in this place."

"This is ridiculous. He's coming with--"

"My sons…"

With Mike and Don arguing and Leo stuck in the middle of them wondering when they were going to turn this into a game of tug-a-war with him as the rope, Raph was the only one to notice when Master Splinter came out of his room. However, at his words, they all turned to face their sensei.

Mikey grinned wide. "Master Splinter! Leo's here!"

The old rat nodded. "I see that, Michelangelo. However, before we commence with tours and planning, I wish to speak with your brother, alone. "

"But… Master Splinter…"

"Go, Michelangelo. You will have plenty of time to spend with him later."

Don and Mike shuffled off. Raph waited for a moment, taking the time to offer his brother a reassuring smile and whisper, "Good luck, bro," before heading toward the kitchen with the now cold pizzas, intending to pop them in the oven to warm up for a bit.

Splinter stared at his long lost son for several long moments after Raphael had left. He took note of the changes in his physical appearance. He was taller of course, as was to be expected after seven years. He was also, quite obviously, very fit. He held himself confidently, his posture alert and yet seemingly casual.

The rat also took special note of his eyes. He alone had noticed the look of fear that passed through them when he mentioned that he would speak to him alone. He recalled the eyes of his nine-year-old son, bright and eager to learn, always watching out for his siblings and trying his hardest not to fail. Those were the eyes he knew. But these eyes… these were different, harder, colder. Behind his dark blue mask was another one, although not so visible. This mask hid what he could no longer show to the world. It put up a front of fearlessness, of strength. But somewhere behind it, Splinter knew there was a child; the same child he had lost seven long years ago.

With a gentle smile, Splinter bowed to Leonardo; the bow of a teacher to his student. "Leonardo… Welcome home, my son."

For a moment, Leonardo just stared, unsure. Then, slowly, he returned the bow as a student to his master.

Splinter smiled gently. "Come, Leonardo. I believe we will be needing some tea." He headed off toward his own room, and after a moment's hesitation, Leo followed.

Upon entering the room, Splinter set about preparing a pot of tea using one of his special blends. It was a sweet, soothing mixture which he often gave to his sons when they were younger. Leonardo, in particular, had been fond of it. He hoped, now, that the familiar taste would help to calm any anxiety his son may be feeling.

Turning away from the tea, he noticed that Leo was lingering in the doorway, gazing around the room in an odd way. Many of the items in the room had also been at the old lair; old artifacts that had once belonged to his Master Yoshi, an old blanket, now draped over his bed post, which had once been used to warm his infant sons on cold winter nights. Leonardo had spent many a day listening to the stories that came with these items and Splinter watched his son's eyes for signs of recognition, perhaps fond remembrance. And yet, he looked upon them now as one who had never seen them before.

Curious…very curious.

"Come, my son. Sit." He gestured to the tatami mats on the floor in the center of the room just as the tea kettle whistled to signal that it was done. Placing the kettle on a tray, along with two tea cups, he carried them to the mats where his son had now settled and took a seat himself.

He poured the tea and passed a cup to Leonardo, who took it but did not drink; he merely held it in his hands. After observing for a moment, Splinter took a sip from his own tea and then began to speak.

"Your brothers have told me of the trials you have undergone these seven years." He smiled. "I am very proud of you Leonardo. You have remained strong in the face of your enemies. Even at such a young age, you were able to hold firm to what you have been taught and what you believe. Many others, in your position, would have fallen."

Leonardo looked at him as he spoke, but his face remained neutral. Once, this sort of praise would have earned a happy smile, perhaps even a hug. Now, he only nodded. Once again, the image of an invisible mask was clear to Splinter. It was as a wall, seemingly impenetrable. And the old ninja knew not how to break it.

With a sigh, Splinter continued. "Let us meditate for awhile and clear our minds from the hardships of the day." Leonardo opened his mouth as though to say something, but then closed it and merely nodded again before placing his untouched tea cup on the mat in front of him and closing his eyes.

Splinter did likewise but did not settle into a full meditative state. Rather, he focused all his senses on his son, as he had many years ago when he was first training them in this skill. Leonardo had always been eager to learn anything his father had to teach him. Meditation was no exception and he had been the first of his brothers to reach meditative state. He had practiced many long hours and soon been able to find the inner calm within a matter of minutes.

Now, however, his blue-masked son did not seem to be reaching anything. He was still and quiet, yes, his breath and heartbeat steady. But his mind, Splinter sensed, was ever active. It was times like these that the ninja master longed to be able to know his sons thoughts.

Michelangelo had once accused him of being able to read minds for his uncanny ability to know what his sons were up to even from another room. The statement had made him smile. While years of parenting and the heightened sense granted by ninjitsu training did allow him to guess at and interpret his sons' actions, mind reading was not a talent that had been given to him.

Splinter could see that the years of adversity his son had gone through had affected him. These changes in his demeanor and attitude were not ones that merely growing older could account for. There was too little of the son he once knew left in this boy and too much of someone else; someone Splinter had never met before.


Turn around, there's another mask behind you.