A/N: Sorry for the long delay. This one was hard to write, especially near the end, but I hope it's good enough!

Enjoy!

I OWN NOTHING!

WARNING; THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS VIOLENCE AND BLOOD

Chapter 7

"Kids don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are."

― Jim Henson, It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider

The air was thick with a heavy silence as they closed in. Even the sounds of cars driving down the busy roads, the sound of humans continuing with their lives, and even the sounds of club music blasting in the distance were tuned right out, becoming nothing more than a tiny whisper compared to the blood rushing through their veins and their hearts pumping with anticipation in their rib-cages as they leapt over the city, hopping from building to building with silent grace like shadows in the night, completely unseen.

There were several Foot Ninjas out with them on this mission, just as Shredder had promised, but despite their skills, they were still very much behind the larger, stronger and faster tiger creature as he powered his way across the rooftops of Tokyo. Even the small young turtle, Leonardo, was slightly ahead of them, though he was having a hard time keeping up with his father. But even though his lungs burned and his legs throbbed and his feet ached, he pushed himself further. He couldn't be a burden by slowing them down.

He couldn't disappoint his father like he disappointed his other one. He didn't want to be left behind again because he wasn't good enough.

And he wouldn't dare fail Master Shredder.

Tiger Claw had noticed what Leonardo was trying to do. He kept looking behind him to see if he was alright, and if he was keeping up. He was doing very well for a boy his age on his first mission, and yet he continued to worry about the look in his blue eyes, normally filled with life and wonder, but was now filled with the slight tinge of anger…and fear. He was trying to mask it with determination, as he usually did whenever he caught him practicing his katas in the forests, but as his ever diligent sensei and surrogate father, Tiger Claw could see it as clear as daylight. What happened back at Shredder's headquarters was still getting to him. And his anger from the past was once again resurfacing.

He hoped he would still be able to perform well during the mission.

After several minutes, the two mutants and the ninjas finally reached the appointed area, where a tall office building stood. The building was large, just like any other office building in Tokyo. There were several guards dressed in black posted outside of the estate, standing firm and strong in front of the main doors. All the other employees had gone home already, so there would be no witnesses or unnecessary casualties involved. The ninjas and mutants were all hidden within the shadows of the alleyways opposite the building; none of the guards would see them coming once the soldier on the lookout gave the order, and by then, they would be too late.

As they sat and waited, Tiger Claw quickly swept his eyes over to Leo, who stood by his side with his hands pressed against the edge of the building, panting lightly as sweat dripped down his forehead. He stared down at the guards posted around the building, and then at the building itself.

What were they going to do here? Something about taking care of someone? Was someone sick or something?

Tiger Claw frowned slightly, and he placed a paw on his son's left shoulder, making the boy lift his head up to the tiger and away from the mission for now. "Are you ready, Leonardo?" he asked quietly.

Leo straightened up and nodded once, all fatigue or confusion vanishing from his features in an instant. He couldn't let him see how tired he was.

Though he already knew that Leo was trying to mask his weariness again, Tiger Claw nodded back. "Once we are inside the building, you are to follow my lead. Do not wander away for any reason whatsoever, unless I tell you to do so. Wakarimasu ka?"

"Wakarimashita," Leo replied in a loud whisper without hesitation.

A bird call from the building opposite alerted them. The lookout had made the signal for them to move in. Tiger Claw drew in a deep breath through his nose, and let it out again.

It was finally time.

He looked over to the ninjas at his side and nodded once. They returned the nod, and without a sound, they leapt out from one shadow to the next, until they were right above the guards. Then without warning, they struck.

Though the guards looked as if they could fight, they stood no chance against the ninjas, and were taken utterly by surprise. It was over in seconds. No sounds were made and no blood was spilled, but all were disposed of.

When the ninjas below gave Tiger Claw the signal, he picked up Leo and held him firmly in his arms as he used his jetpack to fly to the top of the building, whilst the ninjas had to use grappling hooks to zip wire their way across the gap. Once they landed, Tiger Claw set Leo back on his feet, and after quickly drawing out his laser gun to blast the lock off of the roof fire escape door, he let the ninjas through first. After making sure each one of them was inside the building, he motioned Leonardo to go ahead of him, which he did so without making a sound.

Tiger Claw shut the door behind them, and he led the way down the stairs and into the office complex. He peered around the corner, putting his hand out for Leo to stop behind him. All the lights were out for the night, which would benefit them a great deal, but the security cameras positioned along the walls, predictably enough, were still on. The other Foot ninjas had already fanned out across the building, taking out the other body guards or office security and locking down the building so that no one could enter or escape. There was only one way those cameras could be taken care of. He looked down to where Leonardo stood behind him. "Leonardo, do you have your shuriken?" he whispered.

Looking up at him, Leo nodded, digging into his belt as he pulled out several shuriken, holding them up so that his father could see them. "Right here," he whispered back.

Tiger Claw nodded, and then gestured the cameras along the walls. "Throw them at the cameras on the walls, otherwise we will be spotted." He knew he could trust Leo's aim. He had seen him practicing endlessly in the forests the other day, and he had managed to hit every single target.

He mused that Leo always aimed for perfection in everything he did.

Nodding silently, Leo took out one shuriken, his eyes narrowing in deep concentration as he aimed at one camera, and in the blink of an eye, he sent it flying. The camera sparked as it shut down, the screen going dark. He launched his last few, and the results were the same, all cameras going black within mere seconds. With that, they were free to move through the hallway, and Tiger Claw sent Leo a nod of approval. The look on the cub's face was enough to melt his heart, but he had to remain focussed on the current objective. Silently, the two of them moved through the office complex undetected, with Tiger Claw stopping once or twice to sniff the air. Their target was supposed to be on this floor in one of the main offices. He just needed to find it…

There. The lights were still on, and he was sat in his chair reading a document at his desk. His office was guarded only by a glass wall around him. He had no idea he had just been infiltrated, did he? Money loving scum like him never really pay any mind to anyone but themselves. He wouldn't even know that the tiger was there until it was –

Wait. This wasn't his killing to make, not this time.

It was Leonardo's.

He looked down at his young cub, who was staring at the slightly built man in an office uniform sat in his chair in slight wonder, and he frowned. After all the indecision and hesitation he had been through, he finally made up his mind. He still couldn't do this. He just couldn't. Even if it meant going against Shredder's bidding. He had no idea how he had raised his daughter, but with Leonardo, it was different. He knew that Leonardo wasn't ready now. Maybe he would be as he got older and wiser, but not now.

He didn't train him to be a killer. He trained him to be a survivor.

"…Leonardo," he whispered, kneeling down so that he was eye level with the turtle, "stay here and do not come out, no matter what you see or hear. Do you understand?"

Leo nodded his head in response, a twinge of fear rising up inside of him as he hid around the corner, keeping close to the shadows and out of the path of light coming from the office. What was going on? Why did he have to hide? Was it because his sensei was going to fight that man in the chair? He didn't understand what was going on, and it was starting to scare him…just like how the Shredder had scared him before.

Making sure that Leo was safely hidden in the darkness, Tiger Claw narrowed his eyes as he turned to face the glass. And without warning, he finally pounced and smashed through the glass wall, sending shards flying across the room and hallways. Leo let out a little squeak of alarm from where he sat around the corner, covering his head with his arms and squeezing his eyes shut. The man in the office let out a scream as he took shelter underneath his desk. Once he looked back up again, he stared with wide eyes at the creature stood before him. What on earth was that thing? It was neither man nor animal…and it was pointing a gun at him.

Tiger Claw let out a low growl as he glared at the human cowering before him. This man was supposed to have knowledge of martial arts? How pathetic; money must have made him weak, as it does with all humans in the very end. "Your time has come human," he said lowly, baring his teeth to the human, "Prepare yourself, for I am here by the order of Master Shredder to destroy you for your treachery against The Foot Clan."

Upon hearing the Shredder's name, the man's frightened appearance turned into surprise, before it turned into smug realization. He finally crawled out of his hiding place, dusting his suit off and straightening his tie as he regarded the tiger with a conceited smile, no longer afraid of him as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "I see," he said, and then chuckled as the creature's hard expression shifted slightly into confusion. "So you are the one sent to kill me? I have been expecting you for some time now…however," he paused to look at his silver watch on his wrist, and then he smirked, "…I was expecting you to come a little later. You're early."

Tiger Claw snarled, not lowering his gun as he glared at the man. He was actually expecting them to come and kill them this entire time? So this smug little warthog was fully aware of his misdeeds to the Foot Clan? He huffed in annoyance, and he put his gun away, and instead reached back for his sword on his back. "So, I trust that you are fully aware of what I am about to do to you, correct?" he growled, pointing the tip of his sword dangerously at the human. "You know that this will not be as painless as I had originally planned it to be."

The man once again, much to Tiger Claws' irritation, scoffed smugly as he took two steps towards him, fiddling with something his pocket as he stared the tiger down. "Yes, I know what you are going to do," he replied flippantly, "and I know that you know over a million ways of carrying it out." Then a dangerous smirk appeared on his face, a smirk that made Tiger Claws' insides twist slightly in dread. What was this man planning? "…but I am also aware," he continued, "of several ways to stop you." Before he could react, Tiger Claw was suddenly blinded as then man whipped out a ball of powder from his pocket and threw it into his face. The big cat's eyes were burning, and he hacked as some of the powder entered his lungs, bringing him to his knees. The man only watched him for a moment, making sure he wasn't getting up, and then he hurried back to his desk, pulling out a hidden blade from underneath it. He smirked coldly as he held the blade up, ready to bring it down upon the tiger's head.

From where he hid in the darkness, Leo's blue eyes widened in horror as he watched the human grow closer and closer to his blinded sensei. He had seen everything up until this point, and his mind was reeling with questions. What was going on? What was that man planning to do –?

Now only one thought found its place in Leo's mind. It screamed at him as if it were a banshee, drowning out and overwhelming the tiny voices that told him no, told him to remember what Tiger Claw told him to do.

Go.

In a heartbeat, Leo was on his feet, running towards the man as he unsheathed a katana and slid to a stop in front of Tiger Claw, blocking the human's downward swing as metal clashed against metal. The man's expression twisted from smug victory into wide eyed confusion as his blade met the blade of a mall masked turtle creature. Where the hell did this thing come from? Well, whatever it was, it was in his way, protecting the assassin tiger, and he couldn't have that. "Move out of the way, creature!" he seethed, pressing his blade harder against the turtles' katana.

Leo's eyes were wide and full of fear as he stared up at the man before him, and his teeth gritted as he strained with effort to keep his blade upright against the stronger push of the human. He had never been so afraid, not since he was attacked by those scary men in the forest over five years ago. He hadn't been able to defend himself back then, for he was only small and weak, and if Tiger Claw hadn't been there, he was sure he would have died. Their faces were burned into his memory ever since that day, and no matter how much he meditated, they would always be there, their strange empty voices echoing in his ears, staring down at him with soulless eyes, reaching out for him with those pale, skeletal claws that would rip him apart…

Suddenly, the office room vanished, and he found himself back in that same spot in the forest, surrounded by the darkness of the night. The humans' form seemed also began to twist and morph into something else…and Leo's eyes widened further and his mouth fell open, letting out a gasp of utter terror as he found himself staring into the face of one of those men from that night. It was here. He was here to kill him and his father!

Leo wouldn't let it! He wasn't going to let that thing touch him or his sensei! He wasn't a little weakling anymore! He would finally rid this creature from his life for good! His expression turned from horrified to one full of unequalled rage, his eyes losing their childlike glow as they became dark and angry, and his mouth twisting into a snarl as he let out a low animalistic growl born from living with a tiger. The creatures' face became both confused and slightly scared as Leo suddenly thrust himself forwards, swiping his katana to the side and causing the man to lose his footing and stumble to the side, allowing Leo to lunch several angry kicks and punches into his face and stomach before he finally fell to the floor.

He attempted to get up, his head reeling and his nose bleeding after a blow to the face, but then he was forced back to the ground again as the turtle's foot stomped on his stomach, pinning him to the ground. He looked up at the turtle, who was panting both from the effort of his attacks, and out of a fit of rage. He watched as the little creature lifted his sword, the tip hovering just above his chest. His eyes widened in horror and realization.

"No! No!" he begged, "Please! I-I will repent for my betrayal! I don't want to die! Please!"

But Leo saw nothing but the stone face of the soulless creature as he prepared to bring down his blade. He could hear it pleading for him to spare it, but he didn't care. It wouldn't have spared him back then, would it? So why should Leo?

The effects of the powder had finally worn off as Tiger Claw shook his head to clear the haze, and he looked up to find…what?! Leonardo was there, standing on top of the human with his katana just above his chest. His eyes widened. "Leonardo! Stop!" he shouted, quickly getting to his feet as he moved to where Leo stood.

He had to stop him. He couldn't let him kill the human. Why was he even standing on him like that? Was it actually his intention to kill him?!

Leo heard nothing, and without further warning, his blade came down.

Dark liquid was suddenly spurting everywhere when the tip of the katana pierced the man's chest, and it splashed into Leo's face, causing him to stumble backwards off of the man's chest, leaving his katana lodged in his neck. He blinked rapidly in surprise as he found himself back in the office room. Confusion creased his features, and he turned back to where the creature was –

Leo's eyes widened and he let out a gasp when he saw that it was not the strange monster from the forest lying on the floor. It was the human that was going to hurt Tiger Claw…there was blood all over the floor; the stench filled his nose and sickened him. It was soaking into the carpet as it just kept pooling out from the wound…

…and that was his katana, half covered in it, sticking out of his body.

Leo turned very, very pale as he stared at the body. The man wasn't moving at all, apart from his hand twitching by his side on the blood covered floor. His mouth hung open, and his eyes were wide open and staring up at nothing. Leo trembled with fear. Had he done this? He must have done, because that was his sword in his chest, but he hadn't been fighting him. He was fighting the creature from his nightmares…unless…

Unless that was just what he had seen whilst he…

Leo lifted a shaking hand to his face, and he drew it back and let out a horrified gasp and stumbled backwards on weak legs when he found blood on his fingers. He looked down at himself, and found more of it splattered across his chest and across his arms. He trembled violently as he covered his mouth with hands before he could release his last meal. He turned his horrified eyes to look behind him, and Tiger Claw was standing simply stood there, staring down at him with desolate eyes and a deep frown that only spoke of immense guilt. Silence descended upon them both for what seemed like years, until finally Leo managed to find his voice, but even then it was no more than a frightened little whisper. "…did…did I do that?" he quivered, hoping beyond all hope that all of this wasn't actually real, that the man wasn't leaking all over the floor, that his sword wasn't in his throat, and that he was just having another bad dream.

Tiger Claw said nothing for a long moment. This was exactly what he wanted to avoid, what he had wanted to spare him from doing…and yet he failed. For the first time in their five years living together, training together, and growing to love each other, he had failed his little cub. He walked slowly up to his son, bent down on one knee and placed a soft paw on his shoulder. He looked into his fear filled eyes, and he said…

"…yes. You did this. This was what Master Shredder wanted you to do. I was going to do it instead, to spare you from seeing all of this…but for whatever reason, you disobeyed me and somehow…you killed him yourself. This is what I do for a living. This is what an assassin is; they kill people. I kill people…"

Leo just stared at him, his eyes still wide. So this was what an assassin was? All this time, his sensei, his father, was going out into the city, killing people for money…and he had wanted to be like him. "…oh…" he whispered simply, and he slowly turned his head back to the bloodied motionless body of the human that he now knew he killed. "…okay."

Then without warning, his eyes fluttered closed and he collapsed, falling backwards into Tiger Claw's open arms. Worriedly, Tiger Claw held him so that he could check his pulse. He hadn't thought of the possibility that Leo could have a weak heart, and the shock and fear from the sight of blood and killing someone could kill him…

He sighed in relief when he finally found a steady pulse. Thank god. At least he had not failed him by letting him die. He looked back at the body, where the sword still stuck out of the dead man. That would be sight Leonardo would never forget for the rest of his life, that much he knew. Tiger Claw still remembered his first killing; the look in their eyes, the fear he could smell coming off of him in waves…the blood coating his hands, face and chest after the deed was done. It still haunted him to this day, but he learned not to hang onto the past, for there was always the next mission, and the next victim. Leonardo would have to go through and learn the same…

Holding his son firmly in one arm, Tiger Claw stood up and walked over to the body, pulling out the sword in one fluid movement and wiped off the blood on the man's shirt. Sheathing it in his own belt for now, he reached into his pocket and took out his radio, pressing the button and speaking into it. "The target has been disposed of. All Foot Ninja fall back and report back to Master Shredder's headquarters." As he put the radio away and turned to leave, he looked back one last time at the body, narrowing his eyes in anger, before he fled the room quickly, not waiting for the authorities to arrive before they had the chance to leave.

As he ran from the office and back the way they had come, he looked down at the young turtle still unconscious in his arms. His face was not peaceful, not like he usually was when he slept.

And he feared he would never be at peace again…

His gaze as cold and lifeless as ever, he stared down at the two mutants kneeling before him from where he sat at his throne. They had just arrived back from their mission…and he smelled them before he saw them. Well, he smelled the turtle that is. When they finally stepped into the light, Shredder could clearly see the blood splattered all over the child's front half, the haunted look in his eyes, and his body trembling with fear as he knelt down in front of his master. That was what he expected. The blood…not so much. Nonetheless, it was proof that they had completed their mission. And proof that Leonardo had done the killing, just as he had ordered. Maybe now he would finally grow out of those petty childish habits of his. There was no room for that when becoming a warrior. "Where there any unnecessary casualties or witnesses, Tiger Claw?" he asked darkly.

From where he knelt, Tiger Claw looked up at his master and shook his head. "No Master Shredder, the mission went without any civilian involvement," he replied. He cast a glance at Leonardo, who kept his head down, and his wide eyes focused on the floor.

Shredder nodded as he stood up from his throne, picking up the briefcase at his side as he strode towards them, once again stopping in front of Leonardo, who froze completely as soon as his shadow fell upon him. "Leonardo," he said, making the turtle flinch ever so slightly, "stand up."

Swallowing thickly, Leo did as he was he told, but he just couldn't bring himself to look up at the bladed man standing above him. He soon found that he didn't have a choice as Shredder knelt down on one knee, setting the briefcase down beside him, and a gloved hand gripped the boy's chin, forcing him to look up at him. He kept his hands to his sides as he bit his lip, his eyes going wide at the sight of the metal masked man staring into his very soul.

Shredder's eyes narrowed. "...you have completed your first mission for The Foot Clan, Leonardo," he said lowly, "…well done. But do not expect your next missions to be as easy as that. And do not think for a second that I will not punish you if you ever fail me. Understand?"

Leo faltered, "Y-Yes Master Shredder!" he said as loud as he dared, just wanting for him to let him go, for his grip was like a vice. "I-I won't fail you, sir!"

Shredder nodded as he finally released his chin. "Good," he said, standing up and motioning for Tiger Claw to do the same as he handed him the briefcase, "expect the next assignment to arrive within a few months. Make sure you are both ready."

Tiger Claw bowed once in respect, and Leonardo did the same. "We will. Thank you, Master Shredder," he said, before they both turned and finally left. As soon as they were back outside the building, and landed on solid ground after using his jetpack to lower them safely, Leo suddenly lashed out and wrapped his arms tightly around Tiger Claw's legs, his grip like that of a vice as he buried his face into his leg. And Tiger Claw knew he heard a sniffle, though the child tried his best to stifle it. The cat frowned sadly, and placed a comforting paw on his head, stroking it lightly. He said nothing, because there was nothing he needed to say. He knew his pain, and he knew it would take time for him to ever find peace again, but until then it was Tiger Claw's duty as his sensei…no, it was his duty as his father to ensure that he helped him through it, no matter what it took.

He would let no one, not even the Shredder, take the Leonardo he had come to love away from him.

It was a long silent walk through the sewers and back into the forest. Leonardo hadn't said a single word since they left Shredder's headquarters, and his face was as blank as paper. There was no laughter, no sadness, nothing in his eyes at all, and Tiger Claw feared that he had already lost him, if not for the fact that when they entered the sewers, Leo reached up and took hold of the hand not holding the briefcase, and had yet to let go.

That was a sign that there was still hope yet in getting him back.

They walked hand in hand through the familiar paths until they reached their hidden home. Tiger Claw looked down at his blank faced child, and despite the situation, he offered him a kind smile. "Leonardo, why don't you go and wash yourself of this…filth, and then get ready for bed?" he suggested, though it was nearly two in the morning, but even so, they both needed their rest. Leo only responded with a numbed nod of his head before slowly and reluctantly letting go of his hand and making his way to the bathroom.

Tiger Claw watched him go and he sighed, stepping into the house and into their bedroom, setting the briefcase in the closet for now as he changed into his night clothing and set up the futon, and he sat down on it as he waited for Leo to come out. Leonardo always had trouble with sleeping alone at nights, for whenever he woke up to find no one there, he would start to panic, thinking that he had been left alone again. That's why he and Tiger Claw always shared a bed, or if not the same bed, in the same room. Tiger Claw now wondered if he would have even greater problems now, after everything he had seen and done that night…not only had he lost his real family years ago, and that he believed they had abandoned him as his hatred began to grow, but now he had taken a life, and had no idea why he had done it, nor did he know the reason why the man deserved it.

He prayed that there was still hope in getting his little cub back…

Days had passed since that night, and Leonardo was suffering.

He didn't show it, but it was clear to his father that it was still on his mind, eating away at him from the inside out. He barely ate, he barely slept due to nightmares occurring almost every night, and he even refused to train, which was even more of a shock; the boy was always so enthusiastic about training, in fact he seemed to cherish every moment of their sessions together, and would then go out and practice some more. Now however, he simply woke up, got dressed and wandered out into the forest, sitting underneath the tree he always meditated under and staring out into space before coming back at around midday or later.

One of the most worrying things, besides him not eating much or sleeping much, was the fact that he never spoke. Not just to him, but at all.

Did Leonardo hate him now? It was hard to tell. When he had finally found out what Tiger Claw did to earn the money they needed to survive, the look in his eyes were filled with confusion, fear…and if the tiger had read him right, a hint of betrayal.

He had tried his very best as a father, he really did…but maybe he just hadn't been good enough.

His thoughts were interrupted when Leo reappeared from the bathroom ready for bed. He had taken off everything but his mask, and Tiger Claw assumed he had put the rest of his gear and clothing in the washing for tomorrow. His face was just as blank as before as he sat down beside the tiger, but he didn't lie down. He simply stared straight ahead of him, as if there was someone else there. Tiger Claw had a feeling he knew who it was.

Sighing, he put a paw on his shoulder. "Leonardo, my son," he said, snapping Leo out of his trance as he looked up at him, and he continued as he looked off to the side, "I…I hope you can understand why I do this. I didn't do it simply for the pleasure of killing, nor did I do it for Shredder. I only did it to survive when I was on my own. But now, I do it to provide for you, for the both of us to continue living. I am never proud of what I do. Everytime I shed blood, I feel guilt, and I remember each and every one of their faces. But you must understand that there is nothing else I can do, otherwise I would have stopped long ago. This is the path we walk now, and we cannot turn back…please, do not hate me for this. I never wanted you to experience this…"

He looked back down at Leonardo, and he was surprised to find that his face was creased with thought as he looked down at his hands, staying silent. After several moments, Leo finally looked up at him, and he said;

"…I don't hate you."

Tiger Claw started as his brows creased in confusion. "Hm?"

Tears appeared and began to roll down Leo's cheeks as he looked back down at is hands and continued, "I hate what you do. I hate what I did. I hate Shredder…and I hate myself. I'll always hate it, because it's wrong. We shouldn't be killing people or stealing anything. And…and I know you hate it too, but you're only doing it so we can live. So…so I'll have to as well. I don't want to, but I will…for you. Just like you're doing it for me…"

Leo then looked up again, and gave his father a sad but sincere smile. "…I hate what you do. But I don't hate you. I love you, daddy."

And without another word, Leo stood up and rammed himself into the tiger, wrapping his arms around his neck as he buried his face into his fur, sniffling and squeezing his eyes shut as the tears rolled down his face and soaked into his father's fur. Tiger Claw hesitated for a moment before returning the hug with a strong, unyielding one of his own. He felt a lump form in his throat and a stinging behind his eyes, but he fought it back. Words could not describe what the mutant tiger was feeling in that moment; the fact that his cub would understand, the fact that he would keep going and not let it bring him down and stay strong, was something that nearly overwhelmed him. It would be hard for Leo to adjust, but he knew, with every single fibre of his being, that he as his father would be there every step of the way.

"…I love you too, my son," he said at last, pulling away so that he could lick the top of his head affectionately, "never forget that."

Despite the tears, Leo smiled and nodded. "I won't, dad," he replied shakily.

And that night, as father and son slept together, with his father's arms wrapped around him in his strong, protective embrace, Leo found himself able to finally sleep. Though he hadn't found true peace yet, with his father by his side, he knew they would find a way.

Together.

A/N: Crying, crying, crying!