As a preliminary point: Raphael and Tequila are really not best friends. Not at all.


8


"If most of us remain ignorant of ourselves, it is because self-knowledge is painful and we prefer the pleasures of illusion."

- Aldous Huxley -


"So, who's yer mother?"

"Umm... I don't have a mother."

"Then, how were ya born?"

"Umm... that's... complicated," Leo looked away.

"Okay, I get it. Ya don't wanna talk about it."

"Can I... ask something?" Leo asked shyly.

"Sure."

"What happened to your eye?"

"Oh, this," he rubbed his head. "Didn't yer dear father tell ya?"

"He doesn't like to talk about his past."

Raphael huffed annoyed. "Coward."

"What?!" Leo asked back surprisingly.

"Sorry for saying that, but yer dad is an asshole."

"He's not," Leo narrowed his eyes. He wasn't an asshole. Right? He would never be...

"He is. Sorry for disappointing ya, but he's sooo far away from what he told and show ya about himself. 'Cause I'm sure, he didn't show ya what a jerk he really is."

"Why do you say that?" Leo's eyes watered. If Tequila was really his counterpart, then Raphael was defiling HIM, Leonardo. It hurt him, even if it wasn't directed exactly to him.

"It's not my job to tell ya. Yer father has to tell ya. I just hope ya didn't inherit this shit of him. And I hope he won't ruin ya, and won't instill his cowardice and spinelessness in ya."

Leo couldn't help but let a tear escape as he realized Raphael how much hated him. Was he that horrible?

Raphael noticed this and felt guilty. He didn't want to hurt the kid.

"Eh, look, kiddo, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked shit about yer dad to ya, no matter what I think," he took a deep breath. "Okay, let's forget this. Let's talk about ya. How old are ya?"

"Fifteen," he sniffed.

"How come I never saw you before? Where do you live?"

"I can't tell it."

"Aha, so yer mad at me now. Okay, get it."

Leo decided to sit up, and he was trying to move his tired body.

"Stay."

"No.

"Oh c'mon."

Raph saw that he can't stop this stubborn child, so he put a supporting hand on his shell and helped him to sit up.

"Did yer father teach you ninjutsu?" Raphael asked calmly.

"Yes."

"What's yer weapon?"

"Katana."

"Ah, I should have known. Sword boy, just like yer dad," a little smile appeared on the old turtle's face as he thought about the old, nice days. But this smile disappeared soon as he reminded himself of the present. "Are those yours?" he pointed towards the swords, that lay nearby.

"No. I lost mine."

"How?"

"Complicated... um... I should head home."

"Yeah, don't make yer dad worry. But I don't think he has this kind of feeling or any other feeling, though."

Leo said nothing, just slowly tried to get off the cot. Raphael grabbed his shoulder to steady him.

"Ya can't go home alone. So ya have to tell me where ya live."

"I'm totally fine by myself," Leo said firmly.

"Suuuure, this is why there's a bandage on yer arm. And I noticed yer side injury too. And I heard that ya were off against Karai."

Leo looked annoyed.

"I don't even understand, how could yer dad let you out alone. Some father he is."

"He couldn't come with me."

"Why not?"

"Just let's go..."

"Alright, alright."


Raphael and Leo were near Tequila's hideout. Leo didn't want to show it to Raphael. Tequila was sick, he didn't have medicine, so he didn't want to bring a hostile brother on his back...

Suddenly, Leo stopped. Raphael looked at him puzzled.

"You can go home now, thanks."

"No way, I wanna see ya go through the door."

"I'll be fine. Just go."

"Why don't ya want me to see where you live?" Raphael raised an eye ridge.

"Just because," Leo answered nervously. As a reply, Raphael narrowed his eyes.

"Let him go!" suddenly a figure pushed Raphael away.

"What the...?" Raph staggered backward, as he looked at the newcomer. "Leonardo?"

Tequila didn't listen to Raphael, he cowered in front of the kid.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly and put his hands on Leo's upper arms. Leo hissed, as Tequila touched his injured arm. "What's wrong? What is this? Bandage? What happened? Is it serious?"

"I'm fine, it just a scratch," Leo tried to calm the older turtle down. It was strange to see him like this.

"But what happened? Did he hurt you?" he meant Raphael.

"What? Ya accuse me of hurting children?!" Raph raised his voice.

"I wouldn't put it past you!"

"Ya little-"

"No!" Leo interrupted them. "He didn't hurt me. To the contrary. He saved me. A Foot shot at me, the bullet just grazed me because Raph pulled me away. And he took care of my injury."

"Are you feeling okay? Aren't you feeling dizzy? Is it hurt?" Tequila turned his attention back to Leo.

"I'm fine."

And then, suddenly, Tequila wrapped his arms around the kid and started to rub his head.

"I was worried! This is why I didn't want you to go. You could have died!"

Raphael couldn't believe his eye and ears. It was a long time ago when he last saw Leonardo this emotional.

"But I didn't," Leo said calmly, though he was a little nervous. Did Tequila just hug him? Okay, he did it before, when he had a nightmare, but this was a little different. He didn't saw him worried and this caring before. Plus, he knew who he really was. But he still looked at him like he would be a totally different person. Slowly, he returned the hug. "I had worse."

"That's not reassuring, just upsetting."

"I'm alive, that's what matters, isn't that?"

"Yes, you're right," Tequila squeezed him tightly, then he released him. He put his hands on the kid's face and stroked it with his thumbs.

"Are you okay?" Leo asked as he remembered why he left the hideout.

"Yes, I'm better now. I told you I would be," he smiled.

"I couldn't get you medicine," Leo lowered his head sadly.

Medicine? Is Leonardo sick? Raph thought with a slight worry. But it soon disappeared. Who cares?

"It doesn't matter. I will be fine anyway."

But still... should he offer his medicine? No, he shouldn't. Why should he? Leonardo didn't give a damn about him, then why would he?

But what if he really needs medicine... what if this kid will be an orphan because they couldn't get medicine.

Bullshit. I'm sure it's nothing serious.

But what if...

No!

Raph shook his head as he tried to clear his mind. He clenched his fists, as his soul was trying to talk him around. No, he won't let his inner voice to take over him!

Think about the child. He needs his father. Even if he's the biggest asshole in the world.

"Argggh," Raph grunted, and the other two turtles looked at him. Raph looked at them too and saw a little family in them. He can't separate them because of his feelings. Yeah, he made his decision. "Ya... ya need medicine, huh? I can give ya..."

"Really?" Leo's eyes brightened.

"We don't need it," Tequila said coldly.

"Huh?" Leo turned his head towards him. "You need it!"

"No, I don't. I am perfectly fine without his medicine."

"Fine!" Raph was furious. He offered his medicine, and he refused it? Fine! He didn't care anymore! "Then don't accept it, don't care!" and with that, Raph turned around and started home.

"But..."

"Let him go. We don't need him."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because that's the truth," Tequila stood up, took Leo's hand, and headed home, pulling the child after him.


As they got back, Tequila took back his swords.

"No more solo mission from now on."

"Why were you so rude with Raph? He just wanted to help."

"I don't need his help," he growled.

"Why are you two like this? You are supposed to be brothers!"

"He's not my brother."

"Would you tell me why? Raph said you have to tell me."

"Why me?"

"Umm... Karai told him about our last fight... and now, he thinks that I'm your son..."

"Huh... interesting," Tequila crossed his arms. "What was his reaction?"

"Well, he was mad that you didn't tell him, but he was happy that he's an uncle."

"I'm surprised he didn't see a new enemy in you," he huffed.

"But he sees one in you."

"The feeling is mutual."

"But why? He said pretty bad things about you. I want to know how much of it is true."

"Ooo, so I am the bad guy, and he is the poor victim brother, isn't he? I'm sure he didn't tell you what kind of person he is. He's always blaming everyone else, but especially me for all his and others' problems. If a meteorite came towards the Earth, it would be my fault too!"

"You both are adult men, and you really fight like children?" Leo raised an eye ridge.

"It's not a child fight. You don't know how hard he made my life," Tequila raised his voice.

"Yeah, I don't know because nobody wants to tell me!" Leo raised his voice too.

"Let's finish this, alright?" Tequila said calmer. "I want to rest. I'm going to sleep a bit."

"Fine," Leo replied, though he knew he would get his answers, no matter what.


A few hours later, Leo was sitting at the table, his folded hands lay on the desk. Leo didn't know how to continue. He needed answers from Tequila, but it wasn't an easy task. However, he's not that kind of boy who gives up. He didn't want to be like Tequila. He needed answers to prevent this catastrophe. He couldn't imagine that he could drift apart from his brothers this much. What could cause such hatred between them? Was it something that had to happen? Was it unstoppable? Could they prevent it if they knew about it? Or they had no chance against it? Is it something that Fate won't miss out? Will it happen with them too? Is this little trip just an inspection of the future? Is it another dimension for sure? Or Tequila is him just later? No, no. He knew that it wasn't his future. It was another dimension, and Tequila was just his counterpart. But what if his future will be like this? He didn't want this. Not at all. He couldn't let this happen, no matter what.

Suddenly, he heard steps. The lab doors slid open, and Tequila came out.

"How are you feeling?" Leo asked.

"Much better. I told you I would be fine without medicine as well."

"Yes, it looks like you're really starting to get used to being sick. That's sad. You should care more about what you eat."

"In my situation, I am lucky, if I can eat."

"You know, if you wouldn't live alone, it could be better."

"I'm not living alone. You're here," Tequila said, though he knew what Leo meant.

"You know what I mean."

"I know. However, we should leave this topic behind."

"So, you're not gonna tell me what happened, right?"

"Right. I do not wish to share this with you."

"Why not?"

"Because you're going to leave soon, you don't need to know my past. We already discussed that."

"But I would like to know," Leo insisted.

"But I wouldn't like to tell you. Understand it, please," the older turtle started to rub his temples. "You're giving me a headache."

"Then, give me a normal reason, not that that I'm leaving soon."

"Alright, you want a better reason? Fine," Tequila said slightly annoyed, while he was walking towards the table. "My past is private, so you have no right to force me to tell you. You are not my son, despite what others think. You live here temporarily, we don't know anything about each other, and I want it to stay like this. I repeat that's private, so it's none of your business," he slapped his hands on the desk and looked where he thought Leo was. "Understood?"

Leo flinched a little as Tequila hit the table, and he almost said yes. As the older turtle looked at him, accidentally their eyes met, though Tequila couldn't know it. As Leo looked into Tequila's eyes, an endless river of sorrow overflowed him. He didn't want his relationships to ruin with his brothers and friends. He didn't want the Shredder to take over the world. He didn't want Karai to betray him. He didn't want the world to be like this. But most importantly, he didn't want to be like him.

"In fact, it certainly is my business," Leo said slowly.

"What do you mean?" Tequila asked confused.

"…There's something you should know."


.-I don't know the characters-.

ScribeofHeroes: Wow, at first, I thought I somehow clicked on a story because of its length. First of all, thank you for your detailed review.

Yes, homegrown stuff would be the best, but it also difficult to do it if you're hiding in a small place underground, I guess.

Well yes, it's strange for him, that someone cares about him, he wouldn't assume it.

Oh yes, I didn't think about that sword-tallness problem, my bad.

Tequila would like to care about others, but now, he feels it too dangerous, unfortunately.

Inaccurate? Sad:( but I can learn from reviews :3

Well, we will see how Mikey sees things.

Hmm, Karai has always bigger plans than winning little fights, I guess.

Poor little Leo, everything fell on him.

That's a good question. I guess the counterparts of your family can be a secondary family to you, but they are not on the same level as your first/real family. Honestly, I don't really know, I've never met my family's counterparts :D

I think Raph is the type of guy who would be kind and soft to children as an adult and trying to hide his anger problem from them. But just trying. :/

Thank you again for reviewing, I tried to write a normal response to you :D I hope you won't be disappointed.

Kitsune1818: Hehe, thank you :)

Plus, anyone can correct me anytime. English isn't my native language.

Please, review, if you have a free minute :)