A/N: Leo does not use katana nor will I acknowledge the fact that's what Laird calls them. When I had asked him about this, he said Katana just sounded cool. He REALLY uses NINJATO.

Chapter 12

"Talks and Suggestions"

It was obvious that Don wasn't concentrating. Jerky movements, hesitation, rushed motions, in slow katas were all signs. All of these had been obvious during the days following April's recovery and departure to the farm. His mind was never in his ninja practice. Not that this was unusual but his focus wasn't even in his experiments and inventions, his lack of concentration made apparent thanks to the constant dropping of test tubes and flasks.

Splinter had of coursed noticed this lack of focus. Throughout the many times he had pulled Don aside, he could not get a straight answer from his talented son. There was so much Splinter had experienced but nothing in his many years of life but nothing could ever prepare him to help his son.

Splinter walked over to the room Callista and Leonardo shared. The door may have been open but he didn't dare go in uninvited. Now that the two shared a room, his biggest fear was walking in during an intimate moment. He peaked into the room only to see Callista straightening the bed, most likely after doing the laundry, as Leonardo cleaned his swords. Seaming relieved, he knocked lightly.

Leonardo's head shot up, seeing Master Splinter. He gently sheathed his swords and walked over to Splinter and bowed his predictably respectful bow.

"Yes Sensei?" asked Leo.

Callista moved towards Leonardo and stood next to her mate which always made Splinter want to let out a chuckle. Although it had been a long while since she came into their lives like Elara, she was still always curious about everything, especially if it had to do with her with her mate, savior, and love, Leonardo.

"Leoanrdo, I'm afraid I must speak with you regarding your brother, Donatello," he said, leaving it at that.

Callista knew that cue. If she didn't leave, Leonardo would have to go to Master Splinter's study where after their talk, Leonardo would end up discussing countless strategy ideas for battles and ways to defeat Shredder which always long. The thought of that, made her cringe knowing that he'd be mentally exhausted right after getting out. She nodded, using her female intuition to take a guess on what the talk would be about.

"I'll leave you both to talk. I must do a few things," said Callista before Leo could ever respond as she left her mate's side.

Leo watched Callista, amazed that she caught on to Splinter's hints, realizing how he gave her far less credit than she deserved. It still amazed him how she could still turn his head just by walking by him, entrancing his thoughts with thoughts of her. His mind was brought back by Splinter clearing his throat. He stepped aside, allowing Splinter entry to his room and closing the door once Splinter was completely inside.

"What is it, Sensei?" asked Leonardo.

"I am worried about Donatello, my son. I am sure you have noticed his lack of focus in both practice and his studies in science," said Splinter, after kneeling in an area which Leo had set up strictly for the two of them to talk in.

Leonardo nodded as he sat in front of Master Splinter. His mind raced as to why this would be. It could mean almost anything. This had to be rectified as soon as possible or else his brother could end up like himself a number of months ago. He just couldn't allow his brother become a liability.

"I have, Sensei," answered Leo.

"He has been doing this since April was injured. I have tried to find out why and he has not given me an answer. I, Leonardo, can only offer but so much help to you four. I have no experience in…some things you have," said Master Splinter, speaking in his usual cryptic way.

Why do I get the felling he's talking about love, thought Leo, not entirely convinced that love was the only problem Don was suffering from. He still nodded, trying not to 'yes sensei' his mentor and father to death. Nothing was going to be easy with this but he got the point. Splinter wanted Leonardo to Talk to Don.

"As you wish, Sensei. I will speak with Donatello," agreed Leo, knowing where most of hid way was going to end up going.

Well, there goes skull bashing with Raph tonight, thought Leo. He could see the glint of relief in the old rat's eyes. The relief may have been silent but the aura was there and it did not take a ninja to sense it.

"Thank you, Leonardo. I hope that you are able to help him much more than I have been able to," said Master Splinter.

"I will do what I can, Sensei," said Leo with a slight bow.

Splinter nodded and rose to his feet. He slowly walked out of the room.

Leonardo sighed before getting to his feet and moved towards Raph's room. Since the rekindling of their friendship, they had re-earned the nicknames "the twins." He knocked on the door lightly.

"Come in, Leo," called the voice from the inside.

Callista knocked on Elara's door. Something just wasn't right. She stood outside, only entering when being granted permission. The two of them were always able to talk about anything, except the past, but this should be no different.

Elara lay on her bed, reading. For once, it was not another of Don's Scientific America magazines but a romance novel. Unusual, not exactly something I'd expect, thought Callista.

"Good book?" asked Callista.

"Very," said Elara as simply as possible, putting the book down.

Callista sat in Elara's desk chair. They looked at each other for a while.

"So what's going on between you and Don?" asked Callista.

"Nothing," said Elara.

"Nothing? Come on! You expect me to believe that after hearing how much he likes you?" questioned Callista.

Elara bit her lip, hinting at the impending bad news that lingered in the air. She just didn't know how to put it and she was sure Callista picked up on it as she looked up at her friend.

"He's in love with someone else," said Elara quickly.

"He's what?" gasped Callista in complete shock.

"He's in love with April," responded Elara, bitterly.

Callista drew in a sharp breath. This seemed highly unexpected for Callista. She let out the breath slowly.

"But she's getting married to Casey! She's adopted Shadow as her daughter," said Callista, trying to reason the situation out.

"He's been in love with her since he met her. He's trying to get over her," said Elara.

Elara's heart broke again. It wasn't a case of her being angry about it but it still hurt. She wanted him and there was nothing she could do about it. It was all up to Don. The whole situation actually made her feel bitter towards April in a jealous way.

"He better not have lead you on, as the guys say, or else I'll slap that turtle silly," growled Callista.

"Getting bold during your time here, huh, Callista?" asked Elara, trying to lighten the atmosphere a little.

Callista shrugged. Granted, this was something that she would never have done but she was now living under a new set of rules and customs and that could often change a person once they adapt.

"Well, I'm sure he didn't lead me on, whatever that means. Maybe there's still hope," said Elara.

"I never thought you were would become a hopeless romantic," teased Callista.

"Yeah, well, maybe it's the guy," said Elara.

"That's wishful thinking, Lara. He's been in love with her for five years. She's been with Casey four," said Callista, skeptically.

"Okay, I see what you mean. That is sad. Four years," said Elara as she shook her head, hiding her sadness.

"I don't know what to tell you, Lara. Personally, I wouldn't wait around for Don to get his act together. I waited for Leo for a while but got nothing, went for Raph and waited for him for a while but Mikey made his move on me and Leo didn't come back into my life until I was seeing Mikey. I'm glad he did come back into my life and I have no regrets being with Leo but it did teach me what it was that I wanted in a mate of my own choosing. But what you decide to do, is up to you. Don may come around but I don't want to see you hurting while waiting," said Callista.

Elara nodded. She understood Callista's point but it hurt to admit her friend was right. What if Don never came around? What if he did? Count on Callista to be seen but never heard, especially when it came to noticing things from the outside which others could not see.

"Perhaps you're right. There are three eligible bachelors here; Don's not the only one. Maybe I should make like don and move on myself," said Elara.

"Only if that's what you feel you should do," said Callista, stilling cautioning her friend.

Elara nodded, still hiding her sadness. It would just take some time to figure out what to do.

"Thanks," said Elara.

"Anytime, Lara," said Callista.

Leo walked into Raph's room and closed the door behind him.

"Hey Leo! Long time, no see. Looking forward to skull bashing tonight?" asked Raph, warning up as he punched his punching bag.

"Yeah, about that. Master Splinter came to my room and graced me with a small task," said Leo, leaning against the door, in a Raph like manner.

"Oh great! So yer cancellin' huh?" asked Raph, understandably not looking very happy.

"Well, I guess it depends on how long talking to Don takes," said Leo with a sigh.

"Don? What? Does he need ninja turtorin' or somethin'?" asked Raph, obviously teasing.

"Well, he could use it after falling on his shell last night. But in all honesty, he thinks that I may be able to help don better than he could," chuckled Leo.

"Oh yeah, on ninjato lessons," snickered Raph.

"Oh listen to the funny turtle," said Leo, not amused by his brother's humor.

"Well, now we gotta reschedule unless we wanna…hey, now there's an idea," said Raph, smirking as he had that glint in his eye which usually meant he came up with some sort of plan.

"What? I know that look. What's the plan?" asked Leo, curiously.

"well, we haven't done anything together in almost a year and I mean just the four of us, wouldt Splinter and patrolling. Just hangin' out, havin' fun, and maybe Mikey trying to add to his Superhero Team Up Scrapbook," said Raph sitting on his bed.

"Good point, Raph, and it's snowing outside so we go to Central Park," said Leo, getting excited about the idea.

"Yeah and the girls…well…they can do whatever it is girls do whenever we're not around," said Raph, getting to his feet.

"Well, that usually means talking but I'll get the disguises," said Leo getting ready to leave.

"And I'll grab the guys," said Raph going towards the door.