A/N alrighty then folks I'm back with another chapter. The usual thanks are in order here. Enjoy ch 23

CH 23 Talking Things Out

When the group got back to the lair they were met by a concerned looking Shen, Yoshi, Will and Elizabeth. "Casey!" Shen exclaimed, embracing the dark head boy, who wrapped his good arm around the dark headed women, being careful not to put to much pressure on her wounded side. "I am so glad you are alright!" Shen had a smile on her face when she said this. "I am gad you are all alright." Shen embraced her sons when she said this part. Raphael tried not to wince when his mother hugged him but Shen noticed when he tensed up when she hugged him. "Raphael are you alright?" she asked with concern.

"I'm fine Mom," Raphael declared. "My brace came loose during the battle that's all. But Donnie fixed it."

"I would like to check it just to make sure," Elizabeth said, taking Raphael by his arm and guiding him into Donatello's lab before he could protest.

"Casey we should get your arm taken care of," Will said, taking Casey's arm, which was swollen and turning a nice shade of purple.

"It don't really hurt," Casey declared. "Its just real numb."

"All the more reason to have it take care of," Yoshi said with a smile. Casey nodded. He was to tired to argue the point. So Will took the teen in the other room to properly set his arm.

"Mom you should rest too," Leonardo said after noticing Shen was holding her side.

"Yes I suppose I should rest," Shen said with a tired sigh. With that Donatello helped his mother go to her room. Yoshi followed, limping slightly as he walked.

"Father are you alright?" Leonardo asked, going up beside his father.

"Yes Leonardo I am fine," Yoshi said, trying not to show he was in pain.

"Yet me help you," Leonardo said, putting his arm around his father and helping him walk to his room. Donatello was getting Shen settled as the father and son walked in. After getting Yoshi settled the two brothers left the room.

"I better check on Mikey," Donatello said. "He was acting really strange tonight."

"Yeah I noticed," Leonardo said. "He was so quiet. And the way he just beat down the Purple Dragons was just so...brutal."

"Yeah and he helped Casey kill Hun," Donatello put in. "Not at all something Mikey would do. I'm going to make sure he's alright."

"Good idea," Leonardo said. With that the purple masked turtle headed towards the living room where Michelangelo was. As Leonardo watched his second youngest brother leave a little voice inside his head was saying 'this is all your fault. You caused your family all this pain' "God what have I done?" he whispered, putting his hand over his face. But he was interrupted by Casey emerging from Donatello's lab, his arm in a cast.

"I've gotta get home," Casey said. "My old man will be home soon and I've gotta think of a way to explain this." Casey held up his broken arm when he said this.

"I'll drive you," Elizabeth offered.

"Thanks Dr. Turner," Casey said with a smile. "See y'all later." With that Casey and Elizabeth were gone. Leonardo headed into his room and flopped down on the bed with a tired sigh.

"I'm such a failure," the oldest turtle thought. "I failed my family. Mikey's probably going to have some sort of trauma from all this. Raph got hurt. Again. Casey got hurt. Mom nearly died. And what's worse is I damn near killed Father. I don't think I could have lived with myself if that would have happened. Hell I don't even know if I can now." Leonardo buried his face in his pillow as he softly cried. After a few minutes he felt a tap on his shoulder. Looking up Leonardo saw little Hector standing there.

"You ok Leo?" the three year old asked, concern in his dark brown eyes.

"Yeah I'm ok Buddy," Leonardo said as he sat up and wiped the tears away. Hector climbed into the blue masked turtle's lap and threw his arms around Leonardo's neck, hugging him tight. Leonardo couldn't help but smile and he wrapped his arms around the child, rocking him back and forth.

"Don't be sad," Hector said, giving Leonardo's cheek a kiss.

"Thanks Buddy," Leonardo said, brushing Hector's dark brown hair out of the child's face. "I really needed that."

"Anytime," Hector said with a grin. Just then they heard someone clear their throat in the doorway. Looking over they saw Will there, a smile on his face.

"Hector its bedtime," the dark headed man said.

"But Daddy I was making Leo feel better," Hector said. "He was crying."

"Was he?" Will said, looking at Leonardo, who quickly looked away. "Um Hector why don't you find Jack ok?"

"Ok Daddy," Hector said running out of the room to find his twin. Once he was gone Will turned back to Leonardo.

"What's wrong Leonardo?" Will asked. Leonardo opened his mouth to say nothing but Will held up his hand. "And don't say nothing. Because we both know that isn't true. What's bothering you my boy?" Will put his hand on Leonardo's shoulder when he said this.

"Everything," Leonardo said softly, looking down at his bed spread. "I'm a failure Uncle Will. I don't deserve to be leader. Hell I don't even deserve to live." Leonardo abruptly got up and grabbed his katanas. Will quickly got to his feet and grabbed Leonardo's wrists. "Uncle Will its the right thing to do," Leonardo declared, puling away from Will. "In Japan when someone bring dishonor to their family or themselves there's an act called Seppuku that must be done in order to restore that honor."

"Yes Leonardo I'm aware of this act," Will said. "It is an ancient act that has no bearing in this situation."

"But Uncle Will I have to do something," Leonardo protested as the tears flowed. "I've dishonored my family and myself. This is the only way to do that." With that Leonardo raised his katana.

"No!" Will cried out, snatching the katana away from Leonardo. "I will not allow you to harm yourself Leonardo!" Will ran to the doorway and shouted, "Yoshi! Shen! I need your help!" Within minutes Yoshi and Shen were in the room.

"Will what is wrong?" Shen asked, her black eyes wide with worry.

"Leonardo was trying to commit Seppuku," Will informed the couple. Yoshi and Shen gasped, their eyes wide in horror.

"Leonardo why would you do such a thing?" Yoshi asked, looking at his oldest, who was staring at the floor in shame.

"Its the only way to restore honor to myself and my family," Leonardo said, his voice coming out very soft. "I've dishonored myself and my family in my recent actions. I tried to kill you Father. That is unforgivable. Seppuku is the only way to undo what I have done."

"Oh my son," Yoshi whispered, pulling Leonardo close, ignoring the pain he felt in his back. Leonardo wrapped his arms tightly around his father as the tears flowed. As much as Leonardo wanted to stop the tears he couldn't and before he knew it his entire body was shaking as the sobs came out. "Oh my poor little boy," Yoshi whispered as he rocked his oldest back and forth. Shen walked over and threw her arms around her husband and son and held them close.

"My poor baby," Shen soothed. "You have been through so much. But do not worry my son. We will help you get through this. You are not alone in this. We love you so very much."

"I love you guys too," Leonardo whispered. Will smiled at the scene and exited the room, knowing Shen and Yoshi had everything under control At least for now. Will went to check on Donatello's progress with Michelangelo, hoping it would be the same

A/N well folks there you have it ch 23 complete. I really didn't intend for this story to be as long as it is but what can I say? I just love writing this story. I also love reading reviews so please leave me one.