Chapter 4: Healing

"Clear your mind my son," said Splinter as he and Mikey meditated in the dojo. Splinter had been doing this for weeks now since he found out about Mikey smoking. Don and Raph found out soon after. Mikey tried his best to clear his mind but it just wasn't working. He was too anxious and too upset to clear his mind. Sensing this Splinter moved closer to Mikey and placed a hand on his shoulder. Mikey opened his eyes.

"Let's do a breathing exercise. Close your eyes and breath in slowly through your nose for ten seconds," Splinter waited for Mikey to compete the first step, "now hold it for ten seconds," Splinter silently counted to ten, "now let it out through your mouth for twenty seconds." When Mikey finished he and Splinter did this for five minutes. Mikey felt calmer.

"Good, now clear your mind, and think of a sound that calms you and focus your mind on that sound,"

Mikey thought of his family on Christmas day. That was the one day of the year that he was the first one up. He would make coffee for himself, Raph and Don, and tea for Splinter and Leo, kind of as a peace offering when he would go into their rooms and wake them up so they could open presents and eat breakfast and just have a joyful and relaxing day. Raph was always in a good mood on Christmas and would actually join in on the pranking and let his goofy side out more. Don and Splinter would sit and watch as Leo got revenge on his brother for a prank and before they knew it they day ended and they would all stay up a little later than usual. Then one by one they would go to bed, Splinter was usually the first, then Leo, then Don. Mikey and Raph would stay up and just talk until they fell asleep.

Mikey opened his eyes and was brought back to reality. But he felt better, he was still sad, but it was a calm sadness. He looked at Splinter who had a small smile on his face.

"Feel better?" Mikey nodded. They got up and went to the living room where Raph Don and Leo were watching TV. Leo had been improving a lot in the past few weeks he could pronounce words much better and now only spoke with a lisp, and he could control his movements a lot better. Don saw them come over and went over to them.

"I was thinking that Leo might be ready to try to walk on his own," said Don.

"That's is wonderful," said Splinter. Raph turned off the TV and helped Leo up.

"Michelangelo, why don't you and Raphael start," Mikey stood across from Raph and Leo and held out his arms to Leo.

"Come on Leo," he said as Leo struggled to keep his balance as Raph slowly let go of him, "you can do it," Leo looked at Mikey and then at his feet. Leo took a shaky step towards Mikey and stopped, then took another step and tumbled to the ground, Mikey sprang forward and caught him. Leo looked disappointed.

"It's ok, that was really good," said Mikey.

Leo smiled, "again!" he said. Mikey helped him to his feet and held his arms up by Leo's sides as he slowly walked to Raph. Leo made it about half way before he fell. They were at it for a few minutes before Splinter and Don took over. Leo could walk about eight feet when they finished. Don brought Leo in the medical room to do some tests. Mikey smiled at this new improvement.

"I was wonderin' when I would see ya smile again," said Raph nudging Mikey.

"Well, I'm feeling much better," said Mikey

"Good. I was gettin' worried 'bout ya,"

"I haven't felt this calm in months,"

"I am very relieved that you are healed Michelangelo," said Splinter

"Yeah me too," said Raph, "you haven't smoked at all have you?"

Mikey smiled again, "no. Quitting was hard, but it would have been a lot harder if you guys hadn't helped me, and kept a close eye on me. I almost started again."

"You are strong my son, and so is Leonardo. He will be healed very soon,"

"How do you know?" asked Mikey.

"When I talk to him it is almost like the old Leonardo is trying to fight his way through the damage."

That night Mikey put Leo to bed. He helped Leo brush his teeth and brought him to his room. When Mikey pulled the covers over Leo, he froze when he heard Leo talk, "It wathn't your fault," said Leo Mikey looked at him in shock.

"You remember?" said Mikey

"Yeth, I do now. I know what you're going through,"

Mikey thought back to the time when the Utrom Shredder was sentenced to exile, and when Leo was wounded by it.

"You blamed yourthelf because you thought you could have done better,"

Mikey nodded.

"It'th okay Mikey. I'm fine,"

Mikey wiped away the tears that were flowing down his cheeks. Then he bent down and pulled Leo into a tight embrace. His brother was back.

The End!

A/N: Yay a happy ending! I know it's probably not realistic for Leo to heal in six months, but I don't know much about brain damage. I won't be writing anything else for a while since I'm college and the semester is starting soon, if I do write something it'll be a quick one shot. Thanks for reading! Please review :)