Ch 3 Learning the Past.
Leo laid in bed, wide awake, listening to his brother's soft breathing and occasional mumbles. His mind was full of worry as he thought of all the things that were happening and going to happen. He felt horrible for lying to Splinter but he just didn't trust him and could not give him the information he wanted. Leo turned his head and looked out the window of the spare room. It was probably after midnight and normally at this time he would be in a house at the far end of the village working for a large mutant tiger named Tiger Claw, whose clients had a taste for the exotic. And much to Leo's disappointment, terrapins were considered exotic. He supposed it was because there were so few of them around. Or at least, that was what he had been told. He was surprise to see two other turtles like him and Mikey. Maybe there were more. Maybe it was only them. He would have to ask.
As he thought about that horrid place, he began to wonder if they would come looking for him or possibly tell their whereabouts to the Foot soldiers that he was sure were in the village and looking for the two of them. He couldn't let that happen. He couldn't let Saki get his hands on his brother again. He would do whatever it took to make sure the Foot didn't take his brother back. Leo turned to look at his little brother. It was good to see him sleeping so soundly. It had been almost a month since they ran away from the Foot's lair, and although it had been a very rough time, it had been worth it. They were away from Saki and now they just needed to get to the Daimyo's house. But he still needed the money owed to him from Tiger Claw. He needed to find a way back to the mutant's place and get his money, then he would book passage on the first available caravan and get Mikey to the Diaymo. But it had to be soon, very soon.
He let out a small sigh as the words Splinter told him came back to him. He was going to keep them here for a month as a punishment for him 'selling' himself. He looked around the room. It was nice here. It was warm and his brother seem to like it here. But they couldn't stay a month. He would have to find a way to get out of here by the end of the week. Get his money and get out. That was the plan. But how to get to Tiger Claw's without anyone seeing him? Leo's mind thought of many ways to do this but no matter how he decided it had to be done, he had to do it with no one seeing him.
The sun rose and Leo got out of bed. He had not slept the entire night. Too much to think about. He made his way to the dojo thinking he would get started on cleaning. Splinter had a lot of weapons and he wanted to have them polished to a deep bright shine. That would probably take all day he figured and getting an early start would help take his mind off things. Or so he hoped. But he also wanted to look the weapons over. The thought of holding a weapon in his hand again made his hands itch with anticipation. And at least this time, he would be holding them because he wanted to, not because he was being made to.
He made his way to the dojo via the bathing room and was surprised to find Splinter sitting in the lotus position in deep meditation. Leo let out a sigh and decided he would go back to bed. He was just about to turn away and leave when Splinter's voice called out to him.
"You do not need to leave child." Splinter opened his eyes and motioned for him to sit down across from him. He raised his eye brows slightly in surprise upon seeing Leo bow into the dojo. Leo did as requested and sat with his legs under him and his head bowed low.
"You are up early this morning." Splinter looked at him curiously. "Did you sleep well?"
"No Master Splinter." Leo confessed, raising his head. "I'm afraid I did not."
"Any particular reason why?"
"Strange place. Strange bed." Leo told him mentally crossing his fingers. "It's always been hard for me to sleep in a new place."
"Have you ever meditated?" Splinter asked. Leo looked at him in wonder. "It helps to clear the mind."
"I have meditated but it has been a while."
"Would you like to join me?"
Leo was surprised by the invitation. "Actually Master Splinter, since I was unable to sleep, I thought I would begin cleaning."
Splinter looked at the young turtle. So many questions he wanted to ask him but he held off. "It is early and I am not done meditating. Please join me." He motioned for him to stay and closed his eyes.
Splinter's voice made it clear to Leo that this time he was not going to take no for an answer. Leo got himself into the lotus position and closed his eyes as well. He took deep breaths and attempted to clear his mind. But it was not working. There was too much to think about and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't push them away.
Finally, after several minutes of trying, he opened his eyes with a deep sigh and stood up. Splinter looked up at him. "What troubles you Leonardo?"
"I'm sorry Master Splinter." Leo told him. "I just can't seem to focus. Maybe I can try this another time." He turned to leave when Splinter once again spoke to him.
"Perhaps some tea would help?" Leo looked back and watched as Splinter rose. He walked over to him and placed a comforting hand on Leo's shoulder and gently forced him over to the kitchen. Leo smiled ruefully and took a seat while Splinter prepared the tea.
"I do not know what you have been through Leonardo." Splinter told him as he poured him a cup. "But I want you to know if ever you wish to talk and relieve yourself of this burden you carry, I do have an ear for you."
Leo smiled at the large rat. He wished he did trust him, he would love to open up to someone and get this heavy weight off his shoulders. "Thank you Master Splinter." He told him. He took a sip of tea.
Splinter noticed the smile that played on Leo's lips after he tasted the tea. Apparently it was something he enjoyed and, from what Splinter could tell from the look in his eyes, something he missed very much."My sons found it very difficult to adjust after the attack on the village those fourteen years ago."Splinter told him, bringing the tea up to his lips. He watched as Leo's eyes widen in surprise. "Raphael especially found it difficult to open up to anyone. He carried his anger for several years, and although he still does, it has lessened over time."
"The attack?" Leo looked at him thoughtfully.
"Are you not part of the terrapin clan whose village was attacked all those years ago?" He asked him.
"We were, but how…." Leo looked around the kitchen in shock. "How did you know?" He thought for a moment. "Mikey." Leo said angrily.
"Your brother did not tell me Leonardo." Splinter assured him. "I merely guessed." He took another sip of his tea. "My sons were lucky to escape with a few of your clansmen, they settled here in this village."
"I always wondered if there were others of my kind." Leo told him. "Are they still here or are Raphael and Donatello the only ones left?
"There were many others here at one time. But they were taken in by the Salamandrian clan."
"The Salamandrian clan. Why?" Leo asked bewildered. "I thought the Salamandrians and the Terrapins were sworn enemies."
"The Salamandrians are on the verge of being wiped out." Splinter told him. "The new king G'throkka wishes a truce."
Leo looked down at his tea with a thoughtful look. "But it was rumored the Salamandrians had instigated the attack." Leo said. "Is that not true?"
"That is only a rumor and has never been proven." Splinter told him. "But to show they mean what they say, the king is giving his daughter's hand in marriage to one of the Terrapins."
"Who?"
"That would be me." Leo turned to see Raph standing in the doorway looking rather put off by the whole idea.
"That's why Donnie and I live with Master Splinter." Raph told him, coming into the kitchen and taking a seat directly across from Leo. "When we came here with our other clansmen, we were orphans. Our parents were killed by who ever attacked our village. King Hamato Yoshi thought the Salamandrians were responsible as well and requested to speak with their king." Raph said, taking up the story. "The king insisted they did not attack and as a show of good faith gave his daughter's hand to a terrapin of the same age." He huffed in annoyance. "I was the lucky turtle."
"Yes." Splinter smiled at his adopted son. "King Yoshi sent Raphael and Donatello to live with me when they were still very young and the attack fresh in their young minds." Splinter shook his head as he remembered that day so long ago. "Since then, I have raised them as though they were my own sons."
"I see." Leo said looking down at his now empty cup. "You were fortunate to be rescued by other turtles in our clan." Leo told Raph. "You have lived a good life." He stood up and placed his cup in the sink. Turning back to Splinter he bowed and smiled at him. "Thank you for the tea Master Splinter. I will go clean the dojo now."
"Ms O'Neil will be in shortly." He called after him. "After breakfast, I will have her show you her duties."
Leo nodded and left the kitchen to begin his work. Raph turned to Splinter questioningly. "He's part of our clan?" He asked. Splinter nodded.
"Well, where has he and his brother been all these years father?" Raph asked, sounding rather astounded.
"That is a story only Leonardo can tell." Splinter told him. "And he will do so in his own time."
While Leo cleaned the dojo. Raph went back into his room and woke his brother. "Your tutor will be here soon." He told him. "You need to get up and get ready."
Donnie yawned and got himself out of his bed. He put on his kimono and made his way to the kitchen where he found Master Splinter still seated at the table sipping a second cup of tea. Behind him, April was busy preparing breakfast.
"Good morning Sensei." Donnie greeted him. "Is Master Leatherhead here yet?"
Splinter looked up at his youngest and smiled. "Good morning Donatello." He greeted. "He has not yet arrived." Splinter looked at Donatello thoughtfully. "Perhaps you would like to invite young Michelangelo to sit in on your lessons."
Donnie smiled at the thought. There had never been any other turtle other then Raph in his life and it would be nice to be with someone other then his brother for a change. He quickly went to the spare room and woke the young turtle.
Mikey blinked his eyes open and smiled up at Donnie. "It wasn't a dream?" He asked, sitting up. "We're really here." He looked around the small room and smiled excitedly.
"Yes Mikey." Donnie told him, helping him o his feet. "It wasn't a dream and you and Leo are really here." He took his arm and led him out the room. The room was connected to the house by a small garden that surrounded a beautiful small pond with a bench sitting in front of it that led to the bathing room. They made their way inside and down the hall where they eventually made their way to the kitchen. "Breakfast will be served shortly." He told him. "And I was wondering if you would like to sit in on my lessons."
Mikey looked at him curiously. "What lessons?" He asked.
Donnie explained about his tutor and his brother's upcoming marriage. "Since Raph is marrying into the Salamandrian royalty, I need to learn how to behave at the palace of the Salamandrians and I need to learn all about their culture and their history."
Mikey looked at Donnie excitedly."Wow, that sounds great!" He told him, sitting down at the table with Splinter and Raph. "It's been over a month since I've had someone teach me anything. I would love to sit in on your lessons."
Raph looked at Mikey quizzically. "You had a teacher?"
"More like my nanny." He told him with a giggle. "She was great. Taught me all kinds of things and…."Mikey stopped and looked at Splinter and the turtles.
"And what child?" Splinter asked him, hoping he would tell them more about their guests mysterious past.
"And…that was a long time ago." Mikey said quickly looking down at the table.
"I see." Splinter looked over at Raphael. "My son, would you please go and get Leonardo so he may join us."
Raph nodded and got up to fetch Leo. He found him still in the dojo and was expecting to see him cleaning but instead he was surprised to see him with Splinter's twin katanas in his hands and expertly swinging them as though he were actually fighting someone. He watched him for a few moments, peeking around the doorway in amazement as the turtle preformed kata after kata with the weapons in hand. After he was done, Raph watched as Leo brought the sword up and bowed respectfully to his imaginary foe and then proceeded to clean the katanas and put them away.
He was just about to move on to the next weapon's rack when Raph decided to make himself known. He came around the door way and cleared his throat. Leo jumped slightly and turned to look at Raph, a look of guilt in his eyes as he wondered if Raph had actually seen him using the weapons.
"Breakfast is ready." Raph told him. Leo smiled nervously and put down his cleaning rag. He then followed Raph into the kitchen where he found the others along with a very large alligator enjoying a delicious meal of steamed rice, miso soup, tamagoyaki, tsukimono, nori, natto and kobachi.
Leo's eyes widen at the sight of all the food and took a deep sniff. "Smells good." Leo said as he made his way to a seat by Mikey.
"Leo! Leo!" Mikey turned to him bouncing in his seat. "Guess what! Guess what!"
Leo smiled at his brother. "Calm down Mikey, what?"
"I get to sit in on some of Donnie's lessons today."
Leo narrowed his eyes. "You what?"
"This is Master Leatherhead." Splinter said, motioning to the large alligator. "He is Donatello's tutor." He now turned toward Leatherhead. "Leatherhead-san, this is Michelangelo's brother, Leonardo."
Leatherhead bowed his head to the young turtle. "In the short time I have been here, Michelangelo has spoken very highly of you."
Leo turned to Mikey. "He has?" Mikey could see by the look on Leo's face that he was not happy to hear this.
"No worries bro." Mikey told him. "I haven't said that much about you." He was about to continue when Leo gave him a glare."I know, I know." He muttered. "Shut up."
"So." Leo looked back at Leatherhead, his eyes filled with a look of suspicion. "What has my adorable baby brother been telling you?" He asked cautiously.
"Only that you are a wonderful older brother who would do anything to protect him." The large alligator responded. "And that he is looking forward to being with Donatello today."
Leo nodded and began eating. After he was done he quickly excused himself and turned to Mikey. "Michelangelo, when you are done, I wish to speak with you in the dojo." He said with a glare.
Mikey looked at Leo nervously as he watched him go. He finished his meal and got up leaving the others staring after him in curious wonder.
"Mikey!" Leo hissed quietly. "What have I told you about telling anyone about us?"
"I didn't say anything to them about our past Leo." Mikey insisted. "I said just what Leatherhead-san told you I said." He looked down at the floor, feeling rather miffed.
Leo put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I'm sorry Mikey." Leo told him. "I just want you to understand that until we get to the Daimyo's land, we can't risk anyone knowing things about us." He went over to a rack and picked up a tanto blade. "Please Mikey." He implored. "No matter what, make sure you tell them nothing that could expose who we really are." He looked back at Mikey. "Okay?"
Mikey nodded sadly. "I wish we didn't have to keep running Leo." He told him, turning to leave.
Leo put the blade down and walked over to Mikey and wrapped his arm around his shoulders and pulled him into a hug. "I know little brother." He told him. "But soon, this will be over." He brought Mikey's face up to look at him and gave him a tender smile. "I promise." He whispered. "Now, go and enjoy your lesson time."
Mikey nodded and left. Leo watched him leave with a look of sadness and guilt washing over his face. He turned back to the weapon's rack and continued cleaning.
