Chapter 18: Tapestry
Splinter gazed at the tapestry of his Master Yoshi. He had received the tapestry from the Utroms after they had given him Yoshi's ashes. As he looked at the image, it made him miss his master even more every day. He knew Yoshi would be proud of him and his sons. He would marvel at their skills and how Splinter had taught them ninjitsu. But now, Splinter had more pressing matters to think of. He was deeply troubled by the behavior of his eldest son, Leonardo. He was not acting like himself, and Splinter was deeply worried.
"Master Yoshi, I am deeply troubled," Splinter said as he looked at the image of his dead Master. "Leonardo has been acting strangely ever since our final battle with the Shredder. I have tried to give him the space he needs, but he will not talk to any of us. I even asked Miyamoto Usagi to speak with him, but this has had no effect." He fingered the bandage that Donatello had placed on him after Leonardo had cut him. "I fear that if Leonardo does not see sense, he will injure someone else. Please, Master Yoshi, tell me what to do. I am lost." He closed his eyes and listened to see if Yoshi would give him guidance.
Then he opened his eyes. "Of course," he mused. "Why did I not think of the Ancient One sooner? Perhaps he will be able to help Leonardo see sense. Thank you, Master Yoshi. You have eased my mind. Please watch over Leonardo as he begins his journey toward the truth."
With a sigh, he asked Raphael to summon Leonardo so that he could tell his son what he had decided. He didn't want to send his son away, but he knew there was no other alternative. Being in New York wasn't the answer to Leonardo's problem. He needed help, and the Ancient One would provide the help that his oldest son needed.
A/N: Hit the 331 mark. I'm not too satisfied with the ending to this one, but it'll have to do. I'm not really in a good mood right now, and I just want to finish this off. I had just finished this when my computer decided to highlight and delete what I'd written. I hate when that happens, and I don't know how it happened at all. It's so frustrating. Anyway, feel free to leave a review, and have a shelltastic day.