A.N. - Okay, I got some mixed reviews for the last chapter, but that's okay (each to their own or something like that). I didn't put in Shredder's "story" in for a reason; it creates mystery and you kind of have to think "woah - that must have been some damn good story if Leo believed it." And, since you don't know what the story was, I've left you hanging and you can only guess what Shredder could have made up. I know, Leo's the "perfect one" and it seems like Raph would be more likely to do something like this, but if you think really, really hard, you might see it my way.
Also keeping in mind that this is my story and it's complete fiction (no matter how much we wanna believe there are mutated teenage turtles living in the New York sewer system). If you have any problems or questions, e-mail me. Oh, and thanks to all the complements!!
Anyway, back to the story...
Chapter V
Don quietly walked up to the door that separated Master Splinter's room from the rest of their sewer lair and began to pace before attempting to knock. He quietly thought to himself while Raph impatiently folded his arms across his chest, ready to go up to the outside world and find his brother.
Before Don could further think things through, Master Splinter slid his door open and stepped out.
"Master Splinter!" Don exclaimed. "Master Splinter, Leo isn't back yet; we don't know where he is."
Splinter nodded.
"I am worried about Leonardo's whereabouts," he spoke. "I have been meditating over his absence and I can see nothing good."
"So you're giving us permission to find him?" Raph questioned anxiously.
"Wait until night fall," Splinter told him. "And then you may seek out your brother."
* * * *
Leonardo walked the streets of New York City with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He looked around curiously, taking in everything with his human eyes. He had seen the city before, but never in the day time among normal, human beings.
His new master - Master Shredder - had given him half the day to wander about and explore as a human before he was to return and receive training.
"There may be an intrusion tonight," Shredder had told him before he was permitted to leave. "We will need your help if we want to win."
The word "win" had been pounded into his head, and he knew he had enough strength and skill to fight off even his own brothers.
The thought of this reminded him of his brothers and he sighed a little, kicking a small pebble to the streets.
Poor guys, he thought sadly. They don't know they're on the wrong side.
Leonardo forced himself to get rid of the thought as the smell of food hit his senses and he stepped into a small place that served pizza. Behind the counter was a young girl, his age maybe, with hair that had been dyed a turquoise color and blue eyes.
The two of them made small talk as Leo ordered himself a slice of pizza with the few dollars he had found in his jeans pockets.
What a world, he thought to himself as he emerged from the pizza parlor a half hour later, to be on the same level as humans.
* * * *
Night slowly fell and Raph, Mikey and Don waited anxiously to begin their search. It wouldn't have been so unusual if Raph had disappeared, and maybe not so much for Mikey, but Leo? There had to have been something wrong.
The three turtles waited for the sun to go down before emerging from the sewer and onto the streets above.
"Where first?" Raph questioned as Don knelt over and helped Mikey up.
"Anywhere is a good place to look," Don replied, replacing the manhole lid.
"That doesn't give us a very good starting place, Don," Raph said.
"Then let's start with the enemy."
The three looked between each other and nodded in agreement.
* * * *
Leonardo patiently awaited for the so-called "intruders" to come to him, hiding in the shadows. He felt for the blades on his back, reassuring himself that they were still there.
The blades on his back were not the same as his old blades, and they were strapped tighter to his back so that they fit. His new blades were lighter with black handles, a red foot symbol on each. Despite the fact that they were lighter, they were no smaller than his previous blades.
He was still getting used to his new weapons, as he had never used them before, but was still able to use them well and had confidence in what he was about to do.
A sudden movement from the rooftop of the building beside his caused him to sink further into the shadows as he waited for whoever or whatever it was to leap towards his building. He couldn't make out the figures in the dark, but found himself in a crouched position, ready to attack.
* * * *
"I don't know about this," Mikey said, pausing in their quick dash for the enemy's residence. "Something doesn't feel right."
"That's because Leo isn't here," Raph said, pausing. "Remember?"
Mikey nodded and sighed slightly, catching his breath.
"Yes, I remember," he retorted. "Do you remember?"
It was a bad way to start a fight, considering it meant absolutely nothing, but Raph stepped closer to Mikey ready to make a comment.
"He's right," Don said, shattering all hope for a fight between Mikey and Raphael. "Something doesn't feel right." He paused and looked around for a moment. "Something's about to happen."
"Does that mean we'll find Leo?" Mikey questioned.
Don and Raphael frowned at him as he grinned.
"Nothing's gonna happen if we don't get off this roof, here," Raph said finally. "Let's get moving."
Don hesitated, but nodded in agreement. Without a word, the three began to move again and leaped to the next rooftop.
* * * *
Leo watched as the three rather large figures invaded his roof and narrowed his eyes. He felt for his blades and jumped from the shadows to block whomever was intruding on his new master's territory.
