Ch 5 Offers of Hope

The next day, Mikey awoke with Leo and the two made their way toward the kitchen. Master Splinter was in the dojo in deep meditation and the other turtles were still sleeping.

"You sure you don't mind doing this Mikey?" Leo whispered to him.

"Come on bro." Mikey said as he gathered ingrediants. "You know I love to cook and it has been awhile."

He quickly went about putting things together and getting the stove lit. Thirty minutes later, he had a breakfast of okayu, natto, tsukemono, and nori along with tea, made for the whole family. He finished and stepped back to admired his handiwork. He smiled in satisfaction then turned toward Leo. A hesitant look on his face.

"Do you think we'll ever go back to our old home Leo?" He asked. He looked down at the floor then shyly turned to look up at his brother who was currently cleaning the window. He had asked this before and each time Leo would give him the same answer, so deep down he knew what to expect. But each time, he hoped it would be different.

Leo stopped what he was doing with an exasperated sigh. "No Mikey." Leo said sternly after a few seconds of silence. He said nothing else. As he had told him before, there was to be no discussion about it.

"But why Leo?" Mikey demanded. "I just want to know why? I always liked it there and Saki's servants took care of us." He looked back at the stove with a huff. "We never had to beg before and I..I just want to know why?"

"Because I said so." Leo snapped angrily.

Leo immediately regretted his actions. He lowered his eyes and took a deep breath. After a few seconds, he turned to look at his little brother and his face soften when he saw Mikey's face looking so sad and forlorn. He walked over to him and placed his hands on his shoulders. "Mikey." He said soothingly trying to get him to look into his eyes. "I know you were taken care of there, but…well…you didn't see the things I did." He said. "There was so much more to Saki then what you saw and I…I just want you to be safe."

Mikey nodded tearfully and sniffed. He turned away from his brother and went back to finishing up breakfast. He quickly put things together and placed them on the table

"See Leo." He looked at his big brother with a forced smile. "Quick and simple."

"And it smells good too." Splinter's voice caused both turtles to jump and they turned around quickly to see him framed in the doorway with an amused smile on his face.

They watched nervously as Splinter sat down and picked up his chopsticks. He popped a pickled cucumber into his mouth and smiled as he savored the delicious vegetable, he hummed appreciatively as he began to place the variety of foods on his plate. "Very delicious Michelangelo." Splinter complimented taking another bite of the food. "Won't you boys join me." He gestured to the seats in front of him.

The two turtles sat at the table and gathered food onto their plates. They ate in silence for a few minutes until Splinter broke the silence. "Where did you learn to cook Michelangelo?"

Mikey looked at Leo before looking back at Splinter. "I..uh..just followed the directions on the recipe card April left for Leo." He answered. His words were slow and guarded.

Splinter stroked his long beard, looking from one boy to another. He nodded and was just about to say something when a voice from out in the hallway stopped him.

"WOW!" Raph exclaimed as he walked into the kitchen followed by Donnie and Casey. "What smells so good."

"Yeah." Donnie smiled and sat down. "I've never smelled anything like this before."

Leo watched as Mikey looked down at the table shyly. His heart ached for him, he knew Mikey would like to tell everyone where he really learned to cook but they just couldn't take the chance of being found out.

"Michelangelo cooked us breakfast." Splinter explained. Raph, Donnie and Casey looked at him in surprise.

"Wow." Casey said, his mouth full of rice porridge. "Will wonders never cease."

The four turtles, Splinter and Casey enjoyed their meal, talking, laughing and relaxing. Leo looked at the happy faces in contentment. He had never known happiness like this before and it was good to see his brother looking happy to be a part of it. It made him more determined then ever to make sure he was never taken back to Saki's evil lair. It was a vow he made to his parents fourteen years ago and it was a vow he intended to keep this time.

"Leonardo." Splinter's voice cut through Leo's thoughts. "I would like to speak with you after breakfast please."

Leo nodded and several minutes later, walked behind Splinter toward the garden. Splinter sat on the bench and motioned for Leo to join him.

"Are you upset that Mikey cooked breakfast this morning Master Splinter?"

Splinter chuckled and shook his head. "No my son." He told him. Leo startled at the endearment. It sounded nice to hear someone call him that and he liked it. "I would like to ask you to reconsider my offer I made to you yesterday."

Leo looked at Splinter in surprise. "But Master Splinter….I"

Splinter held up his paw. "Please Leonardo, let me finish." He told him. "I know you do not wish to stay but since you have been here, your brother and you seem to have blended right in." He watched as Leo looked away from him sadly. "Michelangelo has flourished in such a short time, you clearly enjoy being with other terrapins, and I will…" Splinter looked away from him for a moment as he held back a sob. "I will be bringing my sons to the Salamandrian's kingdom later this year for Raphael's upcoming marriage and neither of them will be returning with me."

Leo looked up at him. "You mean there will be no one here for you?"

"Besides April and Casey….no."

Leo looked downcast at the thought." Then you'll be alone and won't be able to see them again?"

"I will see them occasionally but my job here requires me to stay in this village."

"Mas…"

"Please Leonardo, you may call me Splinter or Sensei." Leo blinked at him in surprise. "I have seen you handle my weapons, I would like to continue teaching you ninjutsu."

"I…"Leo began.

"I do not know where you learned it to begin with, but you are clearly quite advanced in the art."

"Thank you….Spl…Sensei. I would be honored for you to continue teaching me, but…" Leo took a deep breath. "And while I do appreciate your offer, I'm afraid I cannot accept it."

Splinter narrowed his eyes at Leo. "Leonardo…What is it you are running away from?" He asked soothingly. Leo looked away from him again, his eyes clouding over with mistrust. "Please my son, trust in me."

"I'm sorry Master Splinter." He said with finality. "It's nothing I can talk about."

Splinter looked down at the pond, his face taking on a deflated look. "Very well Leonardo." He looked back at him. "But if you should change your mind, you and your brother are welcome to stay here."

Leo nodded and stood. "May I be excused now? I have cleaning to do."

Splinter nodded and watched the young turtle walk away. "What is it you hide from young one?" He mused to himself. Something told Splinter he would be finding out very soon.

Leo busied himself for the rest of the morning cleaning the kitchen. After he was done, he made his way toward the dojo and inspected his work from the day before. He walked over to the rack that held the katanas. He fingered the hilt of one, humming appreciatively as he looked it over. He thought back to that time in Saki's stronghold. Sparring with the other ninjas, exceeding Saki's expectations. He remembered the mixed emotions that crossed Saki's face as he bested his top warriors. He seemed pleased but also angry at Leo's determination. At that time, he just couldn't understand why.

He pushed those thoughts away as he lifted the katanas. He hefted them and felt the weight in his hands. It felt good to hold them and not think about the pressures of having to fight. He swung them through the air and once again began to preform katas. A feeling of freedom and weightlessness came over him as he danced along the floor with the blades swinging through the air effortlessly.

"You look good." A voice said from the hall. Leo turned to see Raph watching him from the doorway. "Our brothers are with Master Leatherhead, care to spar?" He walked over to another rack and picked up a pair of sais.

Leo smiled and they bowed to each other. They readied their weapons as they faced each other, sizing each other up as they moved along the floor and preparing to charge. The two rushed at each other and their weapons locked in battle. For the next several minutes the two turtles paired and blocked, kicked and punched. Their weapons swung at each other in combat with precision and expertise. Several moments later, Raph managed to disarm Leo of one katana, Leo turned with a roundhouse kick and managed to knock Raph to the ground. Raph quickly got up but not before Leo stomped on his hand and disarmed him of one of his sais.

"OW!" Raph yelped. "Now that's just not fair." Raph groused as he got himself up. The two faced each other again, both with only one weapon in hand. Raph's eyes narrowed at Leo as they once again began to circle each other.

Leo smiled at him. "All's fair in combat." He told him as they once again rushed at each other.

Leo brought his katana down on Raph but Raph blocked it and threw a punch to Leo's jaw. Leo grabbed Raph's collar as he reeled back and brought Raph with him. They fell to the floor and Raph quickly got on top preparing to pin Leo to the floor. But Leo kneed Raph in the side and flipped him over his head, just as one of Raph's sai was coming down on him. Raph flopped onto the floor with a grunt. They both jumped up and their sparing continued. Several minutes later, Raph managed to grab Leo's kimono and roll him onto the floor as Leo was about to jump up and kick his sai away. He got on top and was once again just about to pin him to the floor when Leo's fist, that still held his other blade, came up and punched Raph in the jaw.

Caught off guard, Raph fell back and Leo managed to roll him over so now he was on top. He quickly placed his arm on Raph's throat and grabbed the hand that still held the sai and bring his other hand holding his blade up to Raph's face. The two stared at each other, panting hard, their eyes locked in determination. After several moments, Leo stood up and brought the tip of his blade inches from Raph's face.

"Do you concede?" He asked.

Raph sat up and leaned on his elbows. His hand still clutching the sai twitched uncertainly. Leo could see he was deciding weather to continue or surrender. Just when it looked like Raph was going to bring the sai up to possibly continue, both boys were startled to hear a voice from behind them.

"It would be wise if you were to surrender my son." Splinter came into the dojo. "You both have done well but there is more to do." He turned to Leonardo. "Like going into the village for the list of food April-chan has left."

Leo smiled shyly, bowed his head to Splinter and walked out of the dojo. Raph turned to his Sensei. "He's good Sensei."

"Yes." Splinter concurred. "Over the last two days I have noticed him more then once practicing with the katanas, his fighting style is…familiar." Splinter mused as he stroked his long beard

Raph was about to question him when Splinter walked over to his shrine and prepared to meditate. This was a sign to Raph that he now needed to leave, but before he could, Splinter called to him once again.

"Raphael." Raph looked toward his Sensei. "Please make sure Leonardo gets to the village and back home safely." He got himself into the lotus position and gave Raph a final glare. "And get your fiance a gift."

Raph inwardly groaned then, with an annoyed huff, bowed respectfully to his Sensei. He walked out of the dojo and went to find Leo.