Another chapter, more Leo torture!

Reviews:

Buslady of SoCal; And I'm enjoying reading RFAF too! I really should leave a review, heh ; Thanks for the review:)

Sassyblondexoxo; Wow, you've really analysed this story! Yeah, they're definitely going to be a little out of wack and Leo's emotions are really flowing when I'm writing, I just put myself in his shoes and think what I would do in that situation. Thanks for the review:)

In The Clouds; Oh no! The puppy dog eyes! LOL. I've only just scratched the surface on this one, it's going to get worse before it gets better! Thanks for the review:)

Pacphys; A friend of mine said that this story seems to be written from a personal point of view, but knowing me as he does he knows that it's not true. Somehow, when I'm writing it, it feels like I'm the one going through it all! Thanks for the review:)

Reinbeauchaser; Yep, even I'm going to have to get a little tougher to write this one, Leo's experiences in this chapter did freak me out a little, I only hope that I wrote them well enough for everyone else to see what I was seeing! Thanks for the review:)

Spootycup; Wow, brilliant? Well, I still think I'm crazy! LOL. Thanks for the review:)

Darktiger2; Oh, I'm definitely going to continue this, it's a story that I've had in the works before I even decided to post my fics on the net! Thanks for the review:)

Rev; March hare? Hah! You know me too well! Thanks for the review:)

T; I think this chapter will answer both of your questions, feel free to email me if it doesn't! Thanks for the review:)

Digmon Girl; Another chapter, as requested! Thanks for the review:)

Chapter 2

He ran and they followed, he couldn't risk going anywhere near his home for fear of them finding his family and he couldn't hold them off with no weapons, he could only flee and hope he can outrun them and hide somewhere until they lose interest in him, he side-stepped quickly around a dumpster that had moved from it's resting place by the wall and hurtled in his path, suddenly realising that it was deliberate. The Foot were all about him and he knew that there was little chance of him escaping but he persisted. The alley came to a halt as he noticed the wire fence blocking his escape, jumping quickly into the air he gasped and shrieked as something wrapped around his ankle, pulling him abruptly to the ground, his body tensed at the pain as his leg came close to dislocating, he landed face first onto the floor and rolled, lifting his arms to block a low kick aimed for his head, he tried to right himself but the ninja holding onto the chain connected to his ankle gave a swift yank to keep him floored. He grabbed at an ankle and pulled, taking a Foot ninja's feet out from beneath him, causing him to crash to the floor, he grabbed up his enemy's fallen sword and struck out at the ninja preventing him from standing but it was a wayward shot and he missed, earning himself another yank on the chain. He cried out as he felt his leg finally give out under the strain and grimaced at the sickly pop, the ninja about him whooped with joy at the animal as they realised that it was close to being defeated and they began to stomp on him, targeting the hand that carried the sword as well as his defenceless limbs, kicking at the tender, sensitive sides that he couldn't protect. He felt dizzy, his head spun and his vision began to blur, he noticed that his grip on the sword became weak and he tried to force his hand to tighten but it was a vain attempt and the sword left his grasp, the last thing that filled his vision before the darkness took him was the face of his enemy, the face of the Shredder.

'You failed you know'

"Shut up!"

'Oh the irony, the great leader, best in the game, daddy's favourite, reduced to a snivelling wreck in the hands of the enemy. Now that's funny' the voice laughed at him and Leo shuddered, it was just like every other day, that same voice only spoke to taunt him and mock him, just like The Shredder.

"I was outnumbered, there was no way that I could stop all of them and I couldn't outrun them, they were everywhere" Leo paced the small expanse of his bedroom, shaking his head, gently and repetitively tapping his chin with his closed fist. His vision was blurred with images of the first night, when Leo's hell had started. He ran through every possible outcome but every one was the same, either he died or he was captured. His pacing increased and his growled in anger as the voice continued.

'Excuses excuses'

"Shut UP! Go pick on someone else! Leave me alone!" Leo closed his eyes and clenched his fists, the voice just laughed at him and he felt the anger building up, he raised his fists to his head and began pounding, determined to stop them.

He felt hands gently touch his shoulders and cursed aloud, again he was interrupted and again someone interfered in something that doesn't involve them. Spinning quickly, he stared in amazement as Don slowly lowered his arms and gave a warm smile. He could never be angry with Don, Don wasn't a true fighter, he wasn't like them, he hated fighting, like Leo does, well, this Leo anyway. Leo felt all his tension drain slowly and his shoulders drooped, he turned away from Don and walked towards the bed, dropping onto it and sighing on the way down. Don followed him but didn't sit, instead he crouched in front of Leo and carefully reached towards his hands, knowing that Leo would withdraw them if he wanted them left alone. He didn't and Don picked them up gently, he studied the dry scabs that had covered the open wounds from the evening before and reached for the bowl of warm water that he had placed by Leo's bedside, he grinned when he noticed Leo's confusion, he obviously hadn't seen Don put it there. He squeezed the water from the washcloth and delicately wiped away the dried blood on Leo's hands, watching for any reaction that might give him reason to back away. Leo wouldn't attack his brothers to harm them, it was just the hallucinations and dreams that made him lash out sometimes, it caused his family to watch carefully for any signs of change.

Leo had attacked Casey once, mistaking him for Saki, or more appropriately, suffering a hallucination that had happened when April and Casey had come to visit. The apologies came thick and fast, everyone feeling guilty for letting Leo get that close and Casey himself had been stunned silent, he was okay and soon had to tell everyone to stop overreacting, he knew that Leo couldn't help it and he didn't blame him for being wary around humans. Soon enough, Leo would come around.

"So" Don began, startling Leo who seemed to be deep in thought, "Do you want some breakfast this morning? Mike wants to make pancakes but he's not going to unless you're there"

Leo's head tipped to one side and he stared at Don for a moment, "Is this your way of saying you want me to go?" he smiled when he realised that the voice had gone, it didn't like to talk when other people were around, it only liked to pester him when they were alone.

Don finished cleaning Leo's hands and was satisfied that they weren't infected, he wrapped them to keep them clean and provide a little padding in case Leo decided to continue what he was doing when he came in, it was likely at the moment. "Yes, I'd like you to come to breakfast. I don't like to see you up here on your own when we're down there eating" he answered finally.

Leo nodded and examined his hands, too much padding, he thought, they don't need that much, probably trying to soften the blows.

Leo smiled and at Don's command flexed his fingers to check that everything was satisfactory, with a nod Leo rose from the bed and watched as Don cleaned up after himself then stepped forward to help, his brother gratefully accepted it.

"Breakfast sounds good" said Leo softly

Mike's smile beamed, he quickly hurried around the kitchen gathering the necessary ingredients for the pancakes, Raph chuckled in his seat at the table as he watched his excited younger brother, he couldn't blame him though, it wasn't often that Leo would even bother eating with them and he smiled at the thought that Leo was getting better. When the door opened Raph turned to see who it was, hoping that it was Splinter who had been missing since he left the night before. He knew that his father had taken it as a heavy blow that Leo had been hurt so badly this way, none of them expected to be injured like this and for Splinter it was more of a shock. If anything his hatred for the Shredder had been increased ten fold. When Raph noticed that it was Don and Leo, his smile remained but a small part of him was disappointed.

"Morning guys!" Mike replied cheerfully, glancing over his shoulder for a moment before focusing back on breakfast, "Take a seat, it'll be ready in a minute"

Don guided Leo to the chair opposite Raph and he sat down cautiously, something in his mind made him wary of his brother in red, then he thought back to yesterday evening… and the tree… looming over him, his brother scrutinising his every move, staring at him then Saki was staring at him.

Don took a seat next to Leo and chuckled as Mike moved frantically around the room, Raph kept watching Mike, his head turning to and fro to keep up with his brother's movements.

Leo didn't see this, instead he saw Raph staring at him, those eyes never breaking their gaze, ever forceful as they pushed into his head, probing at his very thoughts. Saki's eyes wearing the mask of his brother, his face expressionless and empty, Leo tried closing his eyes and turning away but when he looked back the scene remained. Raph… no… Saki was staring at him, oblivious to everything around him and focusing on one thing alone, Leo.

His breathing quickened and his heart began to pound, his knees felt weak and the room began to blur, only Saki remained in focus, a crystal clear image that felt like it was burning into the back of his eyes, an image that could never be erased. He pushed back against the chair as the panic pushed it's way to the surface and muttered, "no".

Don noticed his brother move and leaned forward, he could tell that the happy moment was coming to a end by the look on Leo's face, he noticed that his gaze was fixed on Raph and quietly called to him, when Raph turned he asked him to silently move from his seat to see if Leo was looking at him, when his stare remained on the vacated chair Don reached out and touched Leo's shoulder. He didn't move.

"Leo" he whispered, "Tell me what you see. What is it?"

Leo began to shudder, his voice taking on a child-like tone that scared Raph and Mike, the latter leaving the food and moving closer, "It's him Donny, he's looking at me, why won't he leave me alone?" his voice became soft and delicate like a child frightened of the dark, begging their mother to leave a light on.

"He won't leave you alone until you tell him, tell him now Leo, make him go away" Don stared at Leo's hallucination, imagining Saki sitting there and staring, he was almost afraid to admit that with Leo's reaction and his own mental picture of Saki staring that he too couldn't help but feel slightly unsettled. Leo's apparition sat on the far side of the table, too close for comfort and Don was surprised that Leo hadn't pinned himself to the far wall and as far away from his monster as possible. They had grown accustom to seeing Leo's fears more and more now, with all of the barriers that Saki had somehow managed to break down, their brother displayed his emotions freely. It wasn't something that they could deal with, Raph had the worst time with it and vowed to kill Saki for all that he had done to Leo. Splinter had forbid him of course, telling them all that there was a time for revenge and Leo had every right to be there when that time came. Raph had agreed grudgingly and that was enough for Splinter.

"Leave me alone" There was no conviction in Leo's voice and Don shook his head slightly.

"No Leo. Tell him, make him believe you" Don rested his hand onto Leo's arm, "You're not alone now, tell that bastard to leave you alone"

Leo's face tightened and he glared at the figment, "Leave me alone Saki, leave me the hell alone!" his hands shook furiously at his sides, his fright was replaced by anger and he leaned forward, staring at Saki, his face soon relaxed and he leaned back in his chair again, heaving a huge sigh of relief. Don smiled, that didn't take as long as it normally did, he thought. Leo took shuddered breaths and looked at Don, tears brimmed in his eyes and several escaped and trailed down his cheeks, "I'm so sorry" he whimpered.

Don touched his hand to Leo's cheek, rubbing away at some of the stray tears, "You have nothing to be sorry for" he whispered.

"It ain't your fault Leo" Raph added, moving towards the wall and leaning against it, his anger welled up again as Leo's display made him despise Saki even more and he focused on the cracked tiled floor, finding it's pattern strangely calming.

Don nodded at Mike and mouthed 'pancakes' causing Mike to nod in understanding, "How 'bout I get those pancakes going, huh Leo?"

Leo sniffed and rubbed his arm across his eyes before leaning back and resting his head on the top of the chair, "Yeah"

"Pancakes coming right up"

The tension in the room was sky high and each brother felt drained, Mike really didn't know how to take Leo anymore, he always saw his eldest brother as the link in their family chain, the brother who could fight off the demons that threatened their lives, the armour that protected the tender flesh inside. He found it difficult when Leo suffered his first attack, the child-like fright that he displayed made him wonder how much of this side the enemy or more precisely Saki, had seen. Did Leo react this way in that hellhole? Had Saki gloried in his conquest of his brother? He couldn't think like that, he didn't want to depress himself further.

When the pancakes were done he offered them to Leo first, smiling when his brother took two, this small signal encouraged his brothers to take from the pile.

Splinter watched his sons through the kitchen window, he sighed as Leo suffered another hallucination, he watched as Don gently eased him through it, he felt more than saw Raph's anger and Mike's despair, then he saw something that lifted his heart, the first sign that his family were beginning to mend.

But most importantly, he felt regret that he wasn't there for them, his own emotions kept getting in the way suddenly making him very selfish. He should be in there with them, eating with them but he couldn't, he felt like a failure. He'd failed his son.

AN: Okay, this chapter freaked me out a little bit, I have no idea where this is coming from