Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, I'd love to though, there's so much I could do with Leo…hmm…
A/N: Okay, firstly apologies for the long delay, partly due to WB partly due to needing a break from writing for a little bit. Hope you guys don't mind?
Anyways, as always, this comes with a warning. Leo goes through a hell of a lot this chapter.
Reviews:
Sassyblondexoxo: Heh, I always love getting reviews from you, they're so detailed! Yeah, I think I have trouble with sentencing all the time, my hubby doesn't like reading… well, anything, so I can't rely on him as a beta reader! I pretty much write and read over it. I miss things because I don't see them, hope this is a little better! By the way, how's Plague coming along? ;) Thanks for the review:)
Rev: You know we were talking today and I said I didn't feel that I was in the writing mood? Well… Straight home from work, four hours later and one chapter written! I'm so darn unpredictable sometimes! Thanks for the review:)
Spootycup: Thanks for the email, sorry I hadn't replied, I took a little time out and abandoned everything for a while, I think Recovery is having an affect on me! Thanks for the review:)
Pacphys: I don't mean to tease, honest! Yep, I have plans for Splinter. I just can't give anything away for that, let's just say that I have two endings for this story and depending on reaction, it will decide the outcome. Of the two endings I have, the leading one at the moment isn't pretty. Thanks for pointing out my errors; I don't see them after writing it all out so some slip through the net! Thanks for the review:)
Digmon Girl: Well here's a little taster of what Saki did, not too much though, I don't want to give too much away! Thanks for the review:)
T (Pi90katana): Well you wanted more Mike in the next chapter and you've got it! But you might not like it! I'm looking for shock factor here! Let me know if it worked! ;) Thanks for the review:)
Lioness-Goddess: Heh, I was a little pushy there wasn't I? I hope you don't hate me for what happens this chapter! Being a Mike fan and all. It's only a story though, right? Heh, yeah. Anyways, thanks for the review:)
Rizzle: A plot dragon? Hmm, maybe. I'm going for a lot of emotion with this story, with a finale that could go with a bang; I just hope I don't go messing it up. Thanks for the review:)
In The Clouds: LOL, you always say update soon! You should know by now that that would never happen with me! I'm the slowest there is! This chapter is a little more distressing I think, well at least the ending is anyway. Thanks for the review:)
Chapter 3.
The collar chafed his neck, his hands tied and his body worn, he was too tired to move but they forced him, dragging him along by the chain attached to the animalistic collar that cut painfully into his flesh, drawing blood. They poked at him with their blades, leaving fresh wounds to join older ones, as they pulled him along the corridor to his next torture session. Saki had insisted that he be treated like the animal that he was, always taunting him that if he had joined him then this wouldn't be happening to him, the offer still stands.
As they pushed him into the dull empty room he noticed the table, he showed no fear when he first saw it even though he was scared to death of it but now he did, his eyes widened and he resisted his captors as best he could, moving violently against the many men that circled him, pushing and shoving at them. There were too many of them, Saki made sure of that, he didn't want his prize getting away and keeping him guarded with as many as eight ninja was enough to keep him under control. A final push and he fell to his knees, grunting upon impact and sighing at the futility of it all, there really was no escape and Leo knew it. Where was his family? Why hadn't they come for him? He needed them, he wanted so much to be with them and he started to panic at the thought that they would never meet again before his death came. He was pulled from his thoughts by a gentle hand cupping his chin and raising his head.
"Leonardo" Saki said sympathetically, a small frown of concern crossing his features, "Why do you continue to allow this suffering? I can make this pain stop in the blink of an eye and yet you will not let me, let me help you"
Leo glared at him, his resolve still strong after what he perceived to be a month in captivity, he drew in a deep breath and his body stiffened, "Go. To. Hell" his voice was calm and quiet but Saki didn't miss the hatred in the tone. Leo thought that that would be the end of it, with the offer of help turned down he prepared himself for the torture to come, but it didn't. Saki stood and gently eased Leo to his feet, signalling with a nod that his men should back away. A shudder surged through Leo's body, his uneasiness merged with his disgust at his hated enemy's touch, with his hands bound he had little movement but enough to tell Saki that he didn't like the contact between them. Saki half chuckled as he moved to the side and draped his arm around Leo's shoulders, urging him into the room further, Leo moved with him, becoming confused at Saki's change in demeanour and curious at his gentle touch. What did he want? Why was he treating him like this? Leo watched the table move out of his line of site and a sigh escaped him without warning, Saki noticed and his smile went unnoticed, his hopes for this freak suddenly sparked into life once again.
"Take a seat Leonardo" Saki gestured with his hand to a small soft armchair that Leo recognised as the same that Saki had usually inhabited when Leo was undergoing his 'treatments', he sat down and enjoyed the comfort it gave to his aching body. Saki knelt at his side and reached for Leo's wrists, loosening and removing his bonds but leaving the collar around his neck, the chain rested against his plastron and ended on his lap. When his restraints dropped to the cold concrete floor he contemplated making his escape, planning how it would be done but a quick glance at Saki told him that he wouldn't even make it to the door. Leo didn't want to die this way, there was no honour in a death like this, he wanted to die in battle, whether alone or with his brothers, he needed to die with honour.
Saki offered a cup to him, the smell filling his nostrils with a glorious odour, the green tea was a particular favourite of his and Saki knew that somehow. Leo eyed it suspiciously and turned his head away when it was pushed closer to his lips, he half expected a rough hand to pull his head about and force it down his throat but when Saki gently cupped his chin once again he allowed his head to be turned back. Saki sipped from the cup and then offered it back to Leo, "It isn't poisoned or drugged in any way, it is merely tea. I don't want to kill you Leonardo, only if you give me cause to. Drink"
Leo subtly sniffed the contents of the cup before allowing it to be raised to his lips, when the sweet taste hit, he willingly took the cup from Saki and drank the tea greedily. Saki smiled affectionately and reached out, taking Leo's left wrist in his hands. He signalled for one of the white - coated men to come closer and Leo tensed, fearing that this was all a game and that now he had been sufficiently tamed, the torture would begin, but Saki's grip loosened, "There is nothing to fear, I simply want these wounds tended to", Leo had no idea at this point what to think, what game was Saki playing?
The white - coated man came closer and he reached for Leo's wrists, another man approached and proffered the other with some cleaning materials, he cleaned Leo's wounds and returned to the table, there he waited.
Leo examined his newly dressed wrists, "Why are you doing this Saki? Are you softening me up ready for more torture?" There was little spite in his voice and he cursed himself silently for the mistake, Saki saw his resolve beginning to sway.
"The torture can stop Leonardo"
"Only if I join you, I suppose"
"Would that be such a sin? I have much to offer you, much you could offer me in return. I care about what happens to you, I don't want to see you suffer needlessly"
Leo shook his head, "All lies. You've hated us since our first meeting, you've wanted us 'exterminated' from the very beginning…"
"No, I was misguided. I didn't truly understand who or what you were then, now I know exactly what you are, what is important to you"
"You know nothing about me, or my family"
"You believe that? I know you cherish your honour; it is the most important thing to you after your family. I know that you are a brave person, someone willing to sacrifice their life in a heartbeat for those that prove themselves worthy of saving. I know that you follow and respect the way of the samurai, as do I. And I know that you consider Sun Tsu's 'The Art of War' to be your…'bible', for want of a better word"
That made Leo blink, Saki noticed.
"You seem surprised?
"I will not join you Saki. I could never betray my family…"
"The same family that has yet to come for you? Tell me Leonardo, surely they should have made themselves known by now, this place is not difficult to find. In fact, I sent them a message, informing them of your location and of your well being, they have yet to respond"
"You're lying Saki! They'll come for me, that's if I don't get out first!"
"And I'm sure you'll try." Saki lowered his head and breathed out a sigh, as if to compose himself, then looked back into his prisoner's eyes, "Leonardo, there is something that you should know. I was unwilling to show you this at first but now I believe that I have no choice" A ninja approached and lowered a small length of fabric onto Leo's knees, he instantly recognised it and took it into his hands. There was blood covering one side of the torn bandana and one of the eye slits was ripped to the edge of the material, a knife had caused the damage. Leo's eyes instantly watered and a single tear managed to escape; soon many followed it. Saki rested a hand onto Leo's shoulder and spoke quietly and gently.
"Your family have left the city to mourn for the loss of Michelangelo, he died by the hands of a street thug brandishing a knife, his brow was slashed and he fell, the criminal stabbed him twelve times before help arrived. By then it was too late. I'm sorry"
"Stop this…please…stop" Leo was whimpering, no longer concerned with the emotion he was showing, his thoughts were filled with a vision of his baby brother being brutally murdered, he could hear his brother's screams as the knife plunged into him again and again, his arms flailing in the air, fighting to stay alive before slowly dropping to the ground when the life gave way.
His hands wrapped around his head and he rocked back and forth in the chair, refusing to believe Saki's lies but seeing the images so clearly in his head, he felt arms wrap around him and heard quiet comforting words being spoken so that only he could hear them, Saki was comforting him. He suddenly felt dirty, pushing Saki away and retreating as far back into the chair as possible he swore with venom at the lying monster before him. His words must have made an impact for he was pulled from the chair by the chain around his neck and wrenched to the ground, his legs wouldn't move and he was dragged along the ground to the waiting table. The white - coated man stood ready with the syringe, tapping it to draw the bubbles to the surface before letting them expel with a small push of the plunger. Leo wrestled against the collar and found blows raining down upon him then he was hauled onto the table, arms and legs quickly fastened. The needle pushed in his arm and it instantly burned as the fluid was emptied from the syringe. He convulsed on the tabletop, his head slamming on its clean surface, his cries filling the room.
Leo screamed.
Mike looked skyward when the scream pierced the whole farmhouse, he flew from the couch and headed towards the stairs, he heaved himself up and turned the corner quickly, stopping at the top when he noticed Raphael leaning against the wall, his head wearily drooped back, he made no attempt to look in Mike's direction as he pushed away and walked calmly towards the stairs and out of view. Mike spared a single huff and moved on, continuing his journey to his brother's room. Without hesitation he pushed open the door to find Leo cowering in the corner, rocking back and forth, the bed covers were half off of the bed and lying across the floor, as if snaking their way towards his unsuspecting brother. He moved in quickly and took Leo by the arms, a little too harshly but still soft enough not to hurt, Leo looked up and his eyes widened, fear so evident that Mike's heart could almost melt.
"Leo its okay, it was just a nightmare, you're okay now" Mike pulled his brother into a hug and was surprised when Leo pushed him away, he watched in horror as his elder brother tried to crush himself against the wall, trying to put so much distance between them. Anger sparked in Mike's eyes and Leo's own eyes widened further, he'd seen that look before and pain usually followed soon after.
"No… please…don't hurt me, don't… I don't want to hurt anymore…" Leo pulled his arms up and hid his face, shuddering in shear terror and Mike fell back in shock, he slumped to the floor as he felt his energy drain from him, hate bubbled to the surface and his fists clenched, his brother cowered in front of him and after all this time he felt that things were finally going well, now this happened. He stood quickly and loomed over Leo, arms shaking with tension.
"Damn it Leo! Snap out of it! You've made so much progress don't you damn well relapse on me now! Do you hear me?", he reached down and pulled Leo up by his shoulders and he started to shake him, hoping to rattle some sense into him. His anger surged through him, hatred for Saki's torture of his brother, anger for his family's quietness, Splinter's sudden disappearing act, Raphael's lack of emotion and Don's gentle and non – forceful ways of helping Leo get better were simply taking too long. Then there was Leo, his big brother, someone he looked up to, someone he admired, someone he always wanted to be but never had the determination and strength to do it, that someone who had turned into the snivelling wreck that stood before him, whimpering like a child.
He slapped him.
And instantly regretted it, but not before powerful hands grabbed him and spun him around, a fist hitting him on the left side of his face sending him sprawling onto the floor. He watched Leo scramble away and retreat to his corner once again and groaned when the fear in his face intensified, then those powerful hands returned and hauled him to his feet, pushing him towards the door and throwing him hard enough that the corridor wall the other side hurt on impact. He slumped to the floor and watched as Raphael left Leo cowering on the floor, closing the door behind him and standing menacingly in front of him, he said nothing and he didn't need to.
Mike shook his head and let the tears fall freely, his body beginning to shudder with the sobbing. Raphael still didn't move, no attempts to comfort either brother in their current states, Mike looked up at the expressionless eyes and whispered, "What's happening to us? What's happening to our family, Raph?"
Raphael walked away.