Author's Note: Very Alternate Universe. Human turtles with elemental powers (think Avatar the Last Airbender). No update schedule.

Chapter 1

Raphael focused on the demonstration his uncle was performing. Saki was going deliberately slow, so his students wouldn't miss a move.

Raphael memorized each stance with ease. He was eager to try the sequence himself; he could feel the hidden power inside it. It was as if he instinctively understood the secret language of each move.

He glanced at Leonardo to see if he shared his enthusiasm, and wasn't surprised by his closed expression. He knew very well that his twin - younger than him by mere minutes - struggled to follow their uncle's lessons. However, he was a thirteen-year-old son in the Hamato House, and it was his duty to learn the ancient Art.

With Saki's last move, a circle of fire appeared in the air and spread until it almost touched the two teenagers. Then it vanished, and Saki broke his stance.

"Wow," Raphael whispered, fascinated.

Saki smiled at him. "One day, you'll be able to do the same, my nephew. Right now, I want you to repeat that sequence."

Raphael nodded with pride. With determined steps, he placed himself in the center of the old dojo and took the first stance. Counting in his head to keep the correct rhythm, he performed each move with strength and precision. When he was done, he stood to attention, waiting for his uncle's judgement.

Saki nodded in approbation. "Excellent work, Raphael."

Raphael bowed, beaming. Behind Saki, Leonardo grinned at him.

"Leonardo, your turn," Saki added.

Leonardo's grin vanished. He hesitantly switched places with his brother.

Raphael smiled at him in encouragement, trying to hide his own apprehension. Saki was a strict teacher, and he didn't take failure well.

Taking a deep breath, Leonardo began his performance.

Raphael grimaced as it became obvious that it wasn't going to be a good one. It was as if Leonardo had memorized the correct stances, but couldn't take them the way they should have been. Something was always off with his balance, or footing, or his hands were an inch too high or his arms a little too curved.

Raphael stifled a sigh. He knew without needing to look at his uncle's face that he wouldn't go easy on his twin.

"What do you think you're doing, Leonardo?" Saki said harshly, and Leonardo shrank. "This isn't what I showed you."

"I'm sorry, Master Saki." Leonardo hung his head in shame.

"This is a waste of my time," Saki muttered, so low Raphael barely heard him. "If you weren't my brother's son…"

Raphael winced. It was the first time that Saki implied Leonardo was hopeless since they had begun their lessons, four months ago. He saw his twin grow pale.

"I could help him, Master," he quickly said. He wasn't supposed to interfere, but he couldn't stand to see Leonardo so miserable, and he was afraid of what Saki's next words would be.

Raphael stood in silence as Saki frowned at him. He knew he was pushing his luck; he was by far his uncle's favorite student, and favorite nephew for that matter, but it didn't mean that Saki wouldn't punish him for breaking the dojo's etiquette.

"Hmm," his uncle said.

The silence stretched until it was almost unbearable.

"We might as well give it a try," Saki conceded. "Very well. You'll help your brother with this sequence, and I'll give him another chance tomorrow to show me he can keep up with the pace of your training."

"Thank you, Master Saki." Raphael bowed.

Saki dismissed both of them, and they left the dojo in silence.

On their way home, Raphael nudged Leonardo, who looked rather down. "Uncle Saki is one of the best warriors in our tribe," Raphael said. "His mastery of Fire is indisputable. We're lucky he's teaching us."

"I know," Leonardo said sadly. "It's not his fault I'm not a very good student."

Raphael sighed. He knew his brother was doing his best, but sometimes he really wished Leonardo would show more promise.

He forced a smile. "Next time for sure, Leo. We have the rest of the day to teach you the sequence. It's going to work."

Leonardo looked down. "Yeah. Thanks."

Raphael couldn't help noticing that his twin didn't seem very happy about it. He frowned and didn't add anything as they walked home. He would get to the bottom of the matter later. In the meanwhile, he watched their surroundings, his heart filling with joy at the beauty of the gardens surrounding their family's home. In the distance, the sand dunes of the desert shone in the sun.

Raphael's contemplation was interrupted by two very shrill and very enthusiastic voices.

"Leo! Raphie!"

Raphael smiled at the two seven-year-old boys running towards them. Donatello and Michelangelo were twins just like Leonardo and himself. Their father liked to joke that their mother could never do things by half, or children one at a time.

Leonardo bent down to catch them. They giggled as he scooped them up.

"Donnie! Mikey! How was your morning?"

"It was great," Donatello answered. "We learned to use the abacus. I calculated the powers of 2 up to 4096."

Raphael ruffled the boy's hair, grinning. "You did, uh?"

Donatello nodded proudly.

"What about you?" Michelangelo shouted excitedly. "Did you learn some sweet moves? Can you invoke our clan's Element now?"

"Not yet, Mikey," Leonardo answered. It was obvious to Raphael that although he sounded cheerful, his heart wasn't in it. "We've still a long way to go."

Michelangelo pouted, and Raphael ruffled his hair too.

"You'll be the first to know when we do," he whispered in his ear. "And then I'll make you a nice little fire so you can try new recipes."

The boy beamed. "Yay! Thanks, Raphie!"

Leonardo chuckled, and Raphael felt relieved to see his twin finally relax. They could exercise after lunch; right now, he intended to enjoy his brothers' company.

"Do you want to race?" he suggested, certain of their answer.

"The eldest with the eldest," Donatello decreed, extending his arms for Raphael to catch him.

"Just by one minute," Michelangelo answered, sticking his tongue out as he climbed on Leonardo's shoulders and held tight.

"Ready?" Raphael winked at Leonardo.

"You bet." Leonardo grinned.

Raphael counted down and both of them set off, Donatello and Michelangelo roaring with laughter on their shoulders.

In the dojo, Saki sighed as he brought the teacup to his lips.

"So, what do you think, brother? Do you believe me now?"

Hamato Yoshi, who had been watching the day's lesson hidden behind the screens, took a sip of his tea.

"Leonardo seems to be struggling indeed," he finally admitted.

Saki nodded. "The Art of Fire has been running through our family for centuries, but not all children are equally gifted. And sometimes, some of them can't learn at all."

"It has only been four months," Yoshi protested. "Give the child some time."

Saki frowned. "How long, Yoshi? Unless maybe you think I'm a bad teacher? Then why don't you try to train him yourself?"

Yoshi sighed. "This has nothing to do with you, Saki. You're an excellent teacher. Besides, you know I barely have any time. This is our year of leading the clan, and I am required elsewhere." He took another sip of tea. "I don't want to have to tell my thirteen-year-old son that he'll never be a warrior," he admitted. "It would crush him."