Frequently the outer picture appears distorted, especially when we really want something very badly… even though it is inconceivable…

Leonardo moved his neck, hardened from sleeping in a fixed spooning position, then slowly rolled out of bed and pushed his hands behind his shell, down toward the lower ridges, swaying his body from side to side, puling and flexing, widening and stretching his awakening muscles.

Secretly observing his lover, Usagi smiled between the sheets and felt his heart swelling in his chest, remembering last night's conversation. He watched on and on, immovable, professedly drawn to the masterful movements of the green taut muscles and their seductive flexing and stretching. The emotional turmoil the ronin was going through was bitter sweet, his common sense strongly disagreeing with the most intimate desires of his heart. Notwithstanding, one thing was undeniably obvious to him: nothing could stop him, not in this world, nor in any other, from doing the right honorable thing…

"Enter, my friend"

Long ears neatly placed behind his nape, Usagi quietly opened the door. He was wearing his regular (for this world, of course) blue hoodie and a pair of outworn khaki shorts, cut above the knee. An unusual attire for an honorable samurai indeed, especially standing out now that he was surrounded by mostly Japanese traditional setting in Hamato Sensei's privet quarters.

Strong scent of incense imbibed in the air was the first thing the rabbit's delicate nose indulged. Several candles were scattered around the floor, their flames gleaming in the dark. Splinter was sitting in a lotus position on tatami in the very middle. His whiskers trembling scarcely and his wise eyes wittily smiling at his visitor. With a waff-like movement of his hand, the old master welcomed the rabbit to sit opposite him. The ronin obeyed, settling in front of the respected ninjitsu master without making a sound.

"I am glad you came to see me, Miyamoto-san!" - started Splinter, as it was customary for the elder and the more experienced to open a conversation, "I can see you are getting quickly accustomed to our world and its…" He glanced at the clothes the rabbit was wearing, "ways… It is always a great pleasure to have you as our guest! I hope you find yourself comfortable at out home…"

Listening with resignation, Usagi remained silent, darting his gaze toward the old rat. The energy in the room shifted and his long white ears slowly crept up. The never spoken words between the two respected warriors floated in the air, like dry autumn leaves drifting on the surface of a lake and never destined to sink into its depths.

"But, that is not why you are here, is it?" The wise rat continued, fixing his eyes on the ronin, perhaps awaiting a response, perhaps simply judging, either way he didn't wait for an answer: "Strange apparitions have been visiting me lately… Very, very strange… Something is not right, Miyamoto-san! Do you not agree? I believe someone… or perhaps something is trying to make a contact... from somewhere far away from here…"

That announcement caught ronin's full attention without fail. Yet it was evident from the intricate expression on his furry white face and the troubled sparkle of his dark unblinking stare, that some other thoughts resided in his head, "Hamato-san!" - he suddenly cut in, not so typically. And Splinter, although a little perplexed at this seemingly unintended disrespect, permitted the troubled samurai to go on. "It is long overdue. I should have come to you earlier…" Usagi lowered his head in a humble short bow: "Moshiwake arimasen!"

"That does not matter!" Ninjitsu master kept looking straight into the ronin's eyes. The rabbit withstood that powerful puissant stare until the rat eventually indulgently looked away, "I trust your judgment, Miyamoto-san! I am assured your heart is pure!" Splinter's voice became softer and his gaze less strict, "Leonardo is highly fond of you! And…" His whiskers twitched, above his suddenly smiling lips, "...my eldest son often knows what is good for him!"

Usagi felt a certain part of tension leaving his body, relieving him from the lately acquired troublesome musings relating Splinter's fatherly approval. But his heart was filled with pain and distress, and his soul was not at all at ease.

"Hamato-san!" He repeated, "I have come to you seeking advise! As well as... to ask for your forgiveness!"

The old rat raised a bushy eyebrow, meticulously observing the warrior rabbit. The conversation was evidently not going in the direction he anticipated.

"I haven't been completely honest with you… about my intentions..." - continued Usagi, "My life choices have thrown many challenges, adversities and hardships at me. And more often than not, the situations and the circumstances were not in my favor. But I am fortunate!" The rabbit gazed at Splinter out of the corner of his eye, "Here, in your home, I have found a sanctuary... a shelter even from my inner demons... You are not wrong, I come here in great joy. And every time I am in this world, my existence becomes a little... more tolerable!" The old master's expression was inconclusive, so the ronin took a long breath and continued: "Moreover, your senses have not failed you, Wise One! My current visit is not like others before it. Something is happening. It involves your family! It involves Leonardo!"

"Leonardo?" The relatively positive milieu that has already formed in the room, suddenly burst like a flash of fireworks. Old rat drilled the ronin with his eyes. He knew it. He sensed it. He figured something peculiar was about to happen soon. And now this rabbit samurai, his family's old ally, this arrogant visitor from another world… is suggesting ... what is it that he is actually suggesting about his eldest son... "What are you talking about? What knowledge do you possess?"

Every bone in Usagi's body wanted to shout it out so that not only Splinter would hear, but everybody, the whole lair, the whole world! But he couldn't! The uncovering of the secret, the vilification of the mystery must not take place. It would put in danger the whole plan. Usagi pulled himself together and, controlling his faltering voice, explained: "I agree with your uneasiness, but you must understand, I am doing everything in my power to insure Leonardo's safety! All of my intentions are directed in providing the most appropriate solution…"

"Shizukani!" Usagi's words were violently cut off by a throaty whisper with undeniable notes of warning, as Splinter's graying fingers clutched the tatami underneath, "That is enough!"

Even though his immediate focus was fixated on his own two palms, resting on top of his furry knees, Usagi could easily sense the stern gaze directed at him. He raised his eyes, not without difficulty. This time the old master's eyes were openly and resolutely… accusing him! Usagi watched Splinter - one of the greatest ninjitsu masters he knew, old and wise, highly experienced and absolutely accountable … his friend and ally… his lover's father… with so much pain in his yes, and so much anger! The rabbit patiently allowed the respected rat to gather his spirits before finally asking, his humbly hushed voice almost imperceptible: "Has Leonardo mentioned something..?"

"NO! He is very much respectful toward you! Perhaps… hopelessly in vain…" The tips of Splinter's ears dangerously twitched, "However, father's heart cannot remain blind to his son's turmoil!" Small dark dots of the rat's eyes dangerously flashed in the dimmed lighting of the room, "Leonardo suffers for you!" Little by little, blind rage was once again taking over the father's concern, "He torments himself because of YOU!" Bit by bit controlling his disposition and relaxing the muscles in his arms, Splinter was gradually taking over his enraging parent instincts. He consciously let go of the tatami, returning to his usual self: moderate, tranquil, reasonable, "What is it that you're not telling me, Miyamoto-san?"

Usagi's ears impulsively flattened, clinging to his back, and his upper lip jumped in irritation: "I love Leonardo!" Splinter's posture did not change, but he glanced at the rabbit in a different vitality, as the ronin nervously went on, defending his honor: "My life is not as sacred to me, as your son's happiness! I will gladly give my life for him! And my intention is to do precisely that!" He paused, searching the rat's face for understanding and trust, "I will stand next to Leonardo through thick and thin, fire and water, life and death!" He shut his eyes, unable to hold in the tears of frustration threatening to break out, "...but future is the only one to decide our fate…"

Deadly silence, which eventually fell upon the room, was brutally finalized by Splinter's carefully articulated response, letting Usagi know (and be amazed) just how much the wise old rat was able to conclude using his senses alone, without knowing any actual facts.

"Seppuku is NOT a solution!" – hoarsely, through clenched teeth snarled Splinter, "Blabbering of love... of life and death... FOOL! You will destroy him, can you not see?!"

The candid dismay in Splinter's gaze was unbearable. And even such a long-term wanderer and wholesome warrior as life-experienced as Usagi was brutally taken aback by the distress in those pleading fatherly eyes. The rabbit covered his face with his palms in order not to see the father's pain. He knew of such pain. It was too close to his own heart.

Firmly positioning his legs on the dojo floor while throwing the upper part of his body downward and hugging his knees with his arms, Leonardo was trying to clear his mind. Folding and unfolding, he breathed in and out, attentively listening inwards, concentrating on the compound melody produced by his strung muscles. Head downwards toward his thoroughly rooted feet on the floor, the turtle particularly felt the soft pleasant pain in his tense limbs.

Usagi's been here for such a short time, and already I can feel my body acting so very differently…

Half an hour later, practicing his reverse breathing, Leonardo concentrated on the energy flowing through his body. He was in deep concentration. Almost able to reach the meditating stage on the level of his father (which has always been his goal) in the recent years, drove him to push harder and harder to try and at long last achieve that unattainable goal. But it seemed like every time he got close enough, there would be something preventing him from reaching that goal…

Usagi… what are you planning? Why won't you tel me?!

His troubled mind kept bringing him back to his beloved ronin, unable to permit even a slightest moment of rest. The situation with Casey and the Foot was not doing him any good either, only enhancing his stress levels.

Maybe it's my infinite punishment for being the oldest, someone whom my family needs for support and occasional advise, someone to always be there for them no matter what!

Sure! He was glad to be the leader, a supporting mainstay for his family… But who could remain focused in circumstances like these?!

"Leo..?" Mikey's hushed voice came from the direction of the entrance to the dojo.

Concentrate! Don't leap out of it… He might give up and go away… I'm so close…

"Um, Leo, can you hear me?"

Arrhhhhggg

"Yes, Mike?" Leonardo opened his eyes only to get stunned by his baby-brother's physiognomy being mere inches away from his own face.

"Hi, Leo!" Michelangelo's cheeky, freckled, green face broke into a wide smile.

Leo let out the caught up breath in his throat, put away all the troubling thoughts about his handsome warrior rabbit, and curving his lips, looked at his brother: "What's up, Mikey?"

"Did I interrupt you.. again..? Um, I mean, sorry..."

Leo's slightly tense but overall patient expression changed into an impatient one: "Mikey, did you want something?" – he asked, exhaustedly arching his back, his strained muscles screaming for help.

Michaelangelo leaned even closer and embraced his big brother in the warmest, sweetest hug. Astonished, Leonardo returned the hug and cautiously asked: "Everything alright, Mike?"

"Most excellent!" – fired the youngest turtle: "Seems like you need some kneading, though, bro!" Turning the hug around, he crushed Leo's shoulders in masterful massaging skills instead.

"Michelangelo!" Leo grabbed his brother's hands and separated them from his shoulders, worriedly frowning, "Is everything alright?"

Michelangelo made the most innocent of expressions, then settled in front of Leonardo on the tatami: "Can't li'l bro naturally want to spend some quality time with his big, awesome, the bestest in the world, favorite brother?!"

Mikey's enormous toothy smile, shining from ear to ear, was too much to bear even for Fearless Leader. Leo softened his frown, then exhaling sharply he figured he would not be able to return to his earlier achieved stage of concentration and something that was supposed to resemble inner peace. At least not with all that's been going on in the lair lately. So he patiently stared into Mike's eyes, ready for whatever his imaginative dreamer of a brother might throw at him this time.

Mike blinked for several moments, a picture of pure naive gullibleness and innocence, and then lowering his gaze toward his legs folded on the floor in a lotus position, he softly said: "Leo, I wanted to ask you something... it's... um... well, I actually need your help with... this sort of an embarrassing thing..."

Leo raised his brow intrigued, continuously staring at his youngest brother: "Sure, Mike, what is it?"

Mike hesitated for a bit and awkwardly scratching his nape said: "I keep having this dream… and it's sorta not the most decent one, if you know what I mean…"