Author's note

Little time skip ahead! I plan on following the major events of season 4, but will not rewrite each episode as I go. I'm not insane! (or that desperate for stuff to do yet) Here we are at the end of episode 17, Outbreak. Also, I plan on upgrading the technology seen in the series. Not the crazy sci-fi stuff but everyday things (like tablets, phones and just make it feel more in tune with today's tech).

Expect lots of introspection today, action will come later ;)

I do not own TMNT, or else I'd be free diving with turtles and sharks somewhere in the tropics! Onward to chapter 3!

Leo had dared to hope that he and his family would have some down time to settle in their new home but how quickly things had gone south… The remnants of Bishop's fake alien invasion* created what would no doubt become a very big problem. They barely had time to find the bare necessities for their new lair, which involved a lot a dumpster diving, and now they had to deal with this mutagen outbreak or many lives (theirs and humans alike) would be in grave danger. At least Donnie had the security system up and working, which helped them all find sleep that night.

With all of this, they did not had time to sit down for a real discussion. Something for which Leo was both relieved and frustrated at the same time. Relieved he still had some time to think about how he would explain the whole story. Frustrated because the more time went by, the harder it would be and the more chances they would be mad he kept everything to himself for so long. Also, they would probably be pissed he now had his own cell phone, beside the Shell Cel Donnie had made for them. The others wouldn't be jealous, but pissed he felt like he had to keep stuff secret from them, again. It's not like he wanted to keep it all secret… but he had to explain it all at the right moment.

Even if the others often thought him dense, Mickey was actually quite observent. No matter how stealthy or good at hiding his emotions Leo was, Mickey could see there was something on his mind, and it had nothing to do with the whole "some power hungry mad-man is messing up our lives again" thing. But it wasn't like all those months ago, when the darkness loomed in his eldest brother's eyes, like storm clouds waiting to explode in a mighty disaster. Now, it was just a distance, like he wasn't always in the moment but somewhere else. Which was never like Leo ever. Donnie or himself, shell yes. Raph? Depends. But Leo? Leo was always in the now, focused and attentive. With all that had happened over the last few days, they did not had time to talk about Leo' stay in Japan. Although they did ask him about the change of looks, heck even his mask was new, a slightly darker shade of blue:

"My old gears were worn down by the journey and time, the Ancient One gave me material to make new ones. That's all he had, so I made due with it."

A quick, straight to the point and practical answer, very Leo-like. Yet Mickey felt it wasn't the truth, at least not all of it. He left the new mask part out on purpose, that much he was sure of. Leo had always tried to keep his gears in good condition, since they didn't have much but did not care much when it was damaged beyond repair. And their mask had been made by Splinter, they all treasured them. Now, that was something he was paying more attention to than before. Like it meant something more… But what? And why would he get a new mask?

Donatello's mind was racing. Upgrades for the new lair, finish setting up security, remedy to the mutagen outbreak were just the tip of the iceberg. No doubt he would be pulling a few all-nighters in the days ahead, even if it meant facing the disapproving glances of Splinter and Leo. He smiled, he was actually looking forward to the former. Six months ago, his big brother had kind of… stopped caring. Sure he was making sure everything worked and that they were safe but there it stopped. He wouldn't chat with them just for fun like before, play video games, watch movies or just do stuff that was not training or patrol. Now, his big brother seemed to be himself again, still the serious and practical one but now at least there was a smile on his lips and a light in his eyes. How strange it felt when they went dumpster diving earlier… when Raph mocked one of the Ancient One's wisdom that Leo would spout out every now and then. Leo didn't retort, he just smile fondly and kept on going to their next destination. Even Raph was taken aback then. Even with all the troubles going on… Donnie was so relieved to have his family whole again. They still had to talk about Leo' stay in Japan, but that could wait a while.

Raph was once again murdering his punching bag, one of the few things they actually manage to salvage in the old lair. On the outside, he seemed to be mindlessly pounding his fiery temper away. But that was just his thinking process, inside his thoughts were racing. Bishop, Karai, the Foot and of course, Leo. No matter how much he tried, his thoughts often went back to that night, and the strange object his brother seemed to be paying so much attention to. The questions were burning on the tip of his tongue. But for some reason he couldn't fathom, he kept quiet. Maybe it was the ever strangeness of their lives, all the stuff they had to worry about. That would be an easy excuse. But it wasn't. The more he thought about it, the clearer it becomes. It was fear.

Fear his brother would shut down again, fear to break the newfound stability of their family by pestering his now appeased older brother with questions. Yet, it was the lack of talking that lead him away from them before. Raph could not shake this feeling of guilt in his guts. After Shredder's first return from the dead, after that horrendous day that nearly claimed Leo's life, he had manage to find the words to rouse his lion of a brother and get him back to his true-self. This time, he had failed. Failed his brother, failed his family. What did that Ancient One did he couldn't? He didn't even know Leo! How could some stranger do a better job at helping his brother than him? True he and Leo fought a lot. But in his heart, he had also always tried to back up his brother, because over time he had come to understand that being the leader would take a toll on his brother's mind and heart. He would still question him and his leadership, sometimes just by sheer impulsivity, okay most of the time. But he would always be there for him. Why couldn't he do it this time? Why? WHY. The loop went on and on in his mind...

Somewhere, far into the Akaishi Mountains, near a well-hidden ancient domain… inside a small but cosy house in a bamboo forest, by nearly forgotten warm spring. There echoed the sound of a koto. A simple, quiet song. The musician's fingers danced gracefully upon the strings. But after a while, the notes died out. The koto laid to the side, abandoned. Beneath the moonlight, a strand of sky blue appeared, old but well preserved fabric with holes for eyes cut through. She looked upon her treasured memento. She could see his steel gray eyes, how he would smile with them much more than with his lips. She remembered his voice, how perfect it was when he sang. How lucky she was, that no one else had ever heard him sing. But such a loss for this world… He had not been gone for that long, but it already felt like hundreds of years were piling on between them. She wished she could have gone with him, but she had responsibilities here she could not abandon.

"I hope you and your family are well Leo. I pray life will bring us together again, and may the stars smile upon that day for maybe I will be able to say those three words… those that got stuck my throat as you were leaving. For it once cost me much to speak them to the wrong person."

I wish you all well, stay safe and until next time! Maybe we will learn more about this musician? Stay tuned to find out :)