Hey everyone. So judging from the reviews, I take it most of you really enjoyed the previous chapter. :D This is actually my second time writing chapter 12. I had a good portion of it done when my muse decided to go off on her own and run with some ideas that popped into my head as a result of some of the comments I received. I swear I need to train her better. Anyway, although I'm not completely thrilled with how this chapter turned out, I'm hopeful that you guys will still enjoy this installment.

The only thing I own is my brain, and maybe Kage! Everything else belongs to Nickelodeon!

-x-

-Flashback: Leo-

"Prepare to lose, Kage! There isn't anything I wouldn't do for my family!"

Leo watched Kage with narrow eyes, wary of the way Kage expertly spun Raph's sais like those cowboys in old westerns spun their guns. 'So he not only knows everything I can do, but he is able to mimic the fighting styles of my brothers?'

As if able to sense the question, Kage met Leo's watchful gaze and chuckled, "I'll admit that you've got guts, kid. Most people would've tucked their tails and ran a long time ago. But you underestimate me. I'm not just a copy. I'm as good as the original. Better, if you count my ability to be inside your head at all times. It's not too late to back out, you know."

Leo felt a blaze of indignation burn through him as he growled, "Stop insulting me. I'd never run from an imitation like you!" Tightening his grip on his katana, he searched Kage for any opening. He felt his heart begin to race as adrenaline began to course its way through his body. 'Think of this as training, Leo' he mentally prepped himself. 'Just regular old training. All you have to do is emerge victorious over Kage…who happens to look just like Raph…' He shook his head, trying to fight off the panic that threatened to take hold of him. 'He isn't Raph! He isn't Raph! He isn't Raph!' He desperately tried to get his heart to acknowledge what his mind already knew, but he couldn't deny that as far as he could see Kage was Raph. And unfortunately, it seemed like his senses were not connected directly to the brain.

Kage smirked, "Are you struggling to find it within yourself to fight your brother? Afraid you are going to hurt him again? Have you realized that you could have ended up killing him earlier today? What would have happened if our dear Raphael's reflexes were just a bit slower? What would your father have thought? What about your other brothers? They would never have forgiven you!"

Desperate, Leo yelled, "You're wrong! I could never kill Raph! He's my brother! I – "

"You were aiming for the midline of his plastron, were you not? Isn't that more vulnerable than the edges? As it is, you managed to cut deep into both his left plastron and carapace. He was bleeding quite heavily, you know. He may never trust you again. And rightfully so, after all only a monster would attack a family member the way you did."

For what seemed like the hundredth time today, Leo felt as if he were about to drown in the ocean of guilt that he had been treading in ever since that afternoon. Lowering his gaze to the floor, he felt himself succumb to all of his regret at once. His heart clenched in his chest as Leo collapsed onto his hands and knees, trembling as he began experiencing breathing difficulties. Leo's eyes darkened as he felt the earlier headache start to creep back into existence.

Kage gripped the handles of the sais tightly as he started to approach the quivering mess that was Leonardo. When he reached the kneeling child, Kage spat, "Just look at yourself. You're all alone. Raphael will never forgive you. Michelangelo and Donatello will always be terrified of you. Your sensei will never acknowledge you. Face it. You've lost your precious 'honor' and there is nothing you can do to get it back. All that's left for you is to accept your defeat and spare yourself the embarrassment of continuing this charade."

That gave Leo pause. 'I've lost my honor? I'll never get it back?' As he braced himself for the end, he heard Sensei's voice ring out clearly in his head. "Honor comes from the outside, in the relationships you share with others. As long as they are relationships built on a foundation of love and trust, you will never lose your honor." Startled, he then recalled the last conversation he had with his father. He had desperately wanted to tell his father that he loved him and his brothers. He wanted to apologize for everything he had done wrong that day. But when it came down to it, his voice died before the words could be said. Then his father had said "Of course. Just know that it's twofold."

Master Splinter had instantly and perfectly understood everything that Leo couldn't say. And more importantly, Sensei had ensured that he had regained one of his most precious possessions – his honor. The slightest smile graced Leo's lips as he realized just what Kage's "trap" was, feeling his courage start to return to him. 'Thank you Sensei. Now I understand. I'll be home soon.' He closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath as he waited for the opportune moment to launch a counter attack.

Leo didn't have to wait long for his opportunity. He could hear Kage's cockiness as the impersonator taunted, "Well, Leonardo-sama, this has indeed been most enjoyable. But unfortunately, all things must come to an end. And for you that time is – " Kage was unable to finish his sentence for Leo grabbed a hold of Kage's hand and, using his feet to give his opponent an extra "lift", flipped him overhead.

Kage landed a small distance away on his carapace, knocking all the wind out of his lungs. Leo grabbed his katana and spun around to face his enemy, watching dispassionately as Kage struggled to both breathe evenly and get off his carapace. Eventually, Kage managed to right himself, his black eyes narrowed to slits as he hissed, "Kono gaki! I had you! You were breaking! It's impossible!"

Leo raised his blade and pointed it directly at Kage's face as he laughed, "Hahaha! I'll admit that you had me going for a while there. But I realized just what you were doing. You play a dirty game, Kage. I see how it's worked out for you in the past. Unfortunately, it'll no longer work."

Kage's black gaze smoldered as he grumbled, "I have no clue what you are referring to, Leonardo-sama."

Leo raised a brow at that. "Oh? You don't know? And here I thought you knew everything!" He grinned as Kage's expression became unreadable. "I guess you don't know me as well as you thought you did." If looks could kill, Leo knew he would be a pile of ash on the floor right now, but that didn't stop his teasing. "What's wrong? Don't like the taste of your own medicine?" Pleasure surged through him as Leo noticed Kage's expression becoming darker and more temperamental. "Should I explain?" Leo waited for Kage to respond, but other than a silent and a slightly more heated glare, the latter acted like he hadn't heard the question. Smirking, Leo decided that that was an answer all on its own.

"Very well. As you wish, Kage-san. Earlier today, I believed that I had lost my honor. But Sensei told me that as long as I have people who love me I'd never lose it. At the time, I didn't understand what he meant. Now it's different. I love my brothers. And I know that they feel the same way. Sure we fight and argue, but that doesn't change the fact we are a family. Sensei too. He's certainly strict, but we all know that deep down he loves us. Me too. And while I may not always feel worthy, they have given me everything that I need to defeat you – my honor." Beaming brightly, Leo bowed slightly as he added, "Thank you, Kage, for reminding me just what is at stake here."

Kage's eyes glittered ominously as he warily eyed his opponent. A grin formed on his face as he muttered, "I see. So my old tricks won't work on you anymore? Aren't you a clever boy. No matter though. There's an old saying that you'd be wise to remember, kid. It goes 'There's more than one way to skin a cat'." Turning back to his Leonardo form, Kage pointed one of the katana straight at Leo's face as he boldly stated, "Let's see how well you do against this!" Kage bunched his muscles underneath him before he leapt toward Leo, his katana moving swiftly.

Leo barely had time to jump out of the way of Kage's katana and he heard the air whoosh by him as a reminder of just how close he had been to receiving a severely disarming blow. Metal clashed with metal as both swordsmen fought and parried each other. After clashing seven times in a row with neither side giving an inch, Kage jumped back, panting with exhaustion. Leo also took the opportunity to regain his breath, equally curious and cautious as to what his adversary was planning next. A moment of silence stretched out between them before Kage broke the tension, "Not bad. I expected as much from you. It's not like you'd have any qualms about attacking yourself anyway." Leo's eyes widened as Kage's shape shifted into the likeness of Michelangelo, made complete by the nunchaku in his hands. "Let's see what happens if you have to fight the baby."

Leo growled, uncertainty flickering in his eyes, "I already told you! Your tricks will not work on me!" Rushing forward with his blades poised to attack Kage, he heard his heart scream at him 'That's Mikey! What are you thinking?! He's your baby brother!' His brain however argued, 'Fool! It's Kage! Not Mikey! Kage! An enemy! Not Mikey!' Leo's brain and heart continued their debate as he pounced on Kage, dropping his katana in the process, as they rolled about the room. Having pinned the imitator to the ground, Leo pulled his arm back, aiming a right hook for Kage's face.

Then Leo hesitated for the briefest moment as he looked into Kage's eyes, seeing light blue where there was supposed to be black. In a voice much more Mikey than Kage, Leo heard "Leo? Big Bro, you're scaring me."

Leo's determination broke. Internally, he was in he midst of a three-way war between his senses, his heart and his logic. Logic said 'You know it's Kage. Just do it! Hit him!' but it was fighting a losing battle against the combined efforts of his heart and senses, both of which were saying 'If it looks like Mike and sounds like Mike, it's Mike!'

Leo hesitantly let go of his target, unwilling and unable to punch his baby brother, which gave Kage just the opening he had been seeking. With a malicious grin that didn't belong on the happy-go-lucky turtle's face, Kage used both of his legs to kick Leo off of him. Leo flew into the wall, the impact causing the wind to leave his lungs in a rush. Sucking in deep breaths, Leo narrowed his eyes at the imposter, cursing himself for his hesitation. 'I should've just punched him…even if he did look and sound like Mikey, I knew better.'

Kage smirked, "So you are unable to attack your baby brother."

As Leo struggled to stand, he cast a burning glare at his enemy who continued to wear his baby brother's face. With a great amount of effort, he managed to get up and leaned against the wall for support, grumbling in his irritation "You sure talk tough for a coward."

Kage tilted his head to the side as he approached a wobbly Leo, his eyes shining with mischief, "You make it sound like I am supposed to play fair. I warned you in the beginning that I know the ins and outs of your psychology. I know what makes you tick and my job is to use that knowledge to unhinge you. For example, manipulating your guilt is the easiest way to get inside your head. It's really too easy to make you hate yourself. As much as you say that you believe your family loves and trusts you, all that means nothing if you can't love and trust yourself."

Leo watched in stunned silence as Kage's form shifted into his father's furry appearance. He had already decided that he would not let Kage's words affect him anymore, but he could not deny that his heart ached when he realized that Kage spoke the truth. He knew that he had a problem with his self-confidence. That was one of the main reasons why he thrived on praise, and wilted under criticism. He didn't trust himself, especially not after today. He'd probably never trust himself again. He needed the assurance that his family still loved him, even when he slipped up. But he was no fool. Deep down, he knew it would likely be a long time before he earned the love and respect of his family.

Suddenly, Leo's thoughts came to an abrupt end as he felt a foot connect with his cheek, sending him tumbling unceremoniously across the floor. When he stopped moving, he tasted blood and felt sick to his stomach at the metallic flavor. He spat, desperate to rid his mouth of the taste, but it seemed like the blood would not stop flowing. Feeling around with his tongue, he realized that he had bitten his cheek pretty severely and fear took hold of him. 'What if it doesn't stop bleeding?!' he thought in a panic. He'd been hit in the face before, but it seemed so much worse now. After all, this was the first time he had ever experienced so much blood pooling in his mouth. The first time he actually tasted blood.

He didn't have the luxury of contemplating the possibility of bleeding to death before Kage came from nowhere and delivered four swift punches to his lower plastron, and as he began to fall to his knees, Kage grabbed hold of Leo's arm and tossed him. Leo heard a crack as his shell took the brunt of his landing. Then he felt a sharp pain and a part of him wondered if he broke something. He remembered the time Mikey had broken his arm while playing in the sewer tunnels when they were little. At the time, Mikey described it as feeling like a sharp stabbing pain that faded out to a dull ache. 'Well, no dull ache right now.' he thought as he struggled to breathe, flipping himself over onto his plastron as an attempt to change the weight distribution on his stinging carapace. He found himself staring at the floor, pulling in shallow breaths as he tried to ignore how much his shell hurt.

A low growl rumbled in his chest as he felt Kage's hand grab his chin to make Leo look him in the face. Leo flinched at the unwelcome touch, his instincts screaming at him to recoil and escape. Unfortunately, his body refused to do anything except shiver continuously. Kage leaned in, his whiskers tickling the side of Leo's neck, and whispered, "Now now, Leonardo. You know as well as I do that you don't have the skills necessary to take me on while I'm using your father's abilities in your condition. Why not surrender? I promise that I'll not harm your precious family if you give in peacefully. But if you insist on this pathetic resistance, I'll ensure that your brothers and father will suffer while you remain helpless to do anything but watch. Make the smart choice, Leonardo. Protect your family."

-x-

Gah! Sorry if the action was not that great. I had a lot of difficulty writing this battle between Kage and Leo because I kept changing my mind between whether or not Leo should emerge victorious. :/ And this led me to a really radical idea to get some reader interaction in the final fate of the big battle. In my head, I have both scenarios planned out and I can't decide which would be better. So here is where you guys come in to play. I'm going to let you all vote on how you think it should be. If more people want him to win, then I'll write him winning. If more people want him to lose, then Leo will lose. You can vote either by leaving a review or by PM'ing me or by voting on the poll on my profile. I'm easy that way ;) Lol. If you are anonymous, feel free to participate as well! :D

As always, feel free to let me know what thoughts/concerns you have. :) You all provide me with the inspiration and motivation to keep going even when the dreaded writer's block threatens to take hold. Hahahaha! Anyway, voting will be open until March 13th. Until next time, happy writing/reading!

-Ariane