Author's Note: Okay, here's another chapter. I know I said this would be mostly from Raph's point of view, but I've decided that I want this fic to be between Raph and Leo, so this chapter is in Leo's POV. I tried to be as fair as possible and address their relationship from Leo's perspective, but I'm not sure if I've done it justice. Leo is a totally awesome character, but I do tend to be more Raph-biased so you'll have to tell me what you think. This is a still-continuing story, though so if I'm going to keep going and make this awesome I'd love to see your reviews.

Anyway, thanks everyone for all your reviews, and here's Leo!

Leonardo would give anything in the world if he could just get his younger brother to listen to him.

There were so many reasons why that should be so simple. He was the elder brother, the leader. Raphael should be obligated to at least consider his orders when they are given, not completely blow them off and do whatever the heck he feels like at that moment. Was it really so difficult to simply not act on the first insane thought that entered into his mind? Did his little brother ever even hear his orders to stay and wait? To make sure everything was as safe as it could be before going in? So that they had all the information that would keep them alive and aware in a dangerous situation? What did Raphael have against being cautious and careful?

Of course it wasn't just in the battlefield that Leonardo noticed this disconnect between what he told his younger brother to do and what Raphael actually did. Even when they all were safe and sound in their home, his hotheaded little brother still found a way to disobey Leonardo's very clear instructions and make a mess out of anything and everything he came into contact with. He wanted to sleep when it was time to train, or train when he was asked to wash to dishes, or run out to the surface to do who-knows-what he usually does when he knew very well that both Master Splinter and Leonardo wanted him to stay inside.

Leonardo always tried to be patient with him, reminding himself that Raphael was younger and less mature than himself and just needed some guidance. But there was a fine line between being lost and being just plain difficult, and Raphael always seemed to use that line as his own personal jump rope. Whenever Leo tried to be gentle, his younger brother brushed him off. Whenever he tried to be firm, it turned into an argument. When he just tried to teach his brother a little bit by example, Raphael would call him out, accusing him of trying to be perfect and intentionally making the rest of them look bad to gain Master Splinter's approval. It was never true of course, though he did want his sensei to approve of him, but he was only trying guide his brother to be better and teaching by example was one of the only ways he knew how.

Everything Leo tried to help his little brother understand that he only wants what was best for him would fall to pieces at his feet. Raphael would react with sarcasm, accusations, yelling, sometimes even his fists, but most of all anger. Sometimes Leo wondered if Raph felt anything else besides anger, he always seemed like he had problem with something or someone, and more times than not that someone was Leonardo. What did the blue-banded ninja ever do to earn his younger brother's constant ire? Why was it nearly impossible to stand in the same room with him without Raphael exploding in his face and an argument occurring soon after? It had come to a point where Leonardo had to constantly tip-toe around his younger brother for fear of accidentally angering him and launching into another fight. It was like Raphael was a ticking time-bomb and Leonardo the instant fuse that without any effort of all would ignite the whole mess and leave nothing left but ashes and hurting souls that he always wished he could have avoided.

Leo even sometimes wondered if Raphael felt the same way. Or did he enjoy the constant fighting, arguing and just generally being nasty to his older brother? Leo didn't know and this in it of itself was enough to frustrate him. He knew when Mikey was upset, or calm, or angry or scared. He could tell when Donatello was stressed, or tired, or happy, or just needed someone to talk to. Leo was their elder brother, their leader. It was his job to read them like a book and know what they were thinking and feeling, otherwise he had failed in his position as a leader and big brother.

But with Raph… He had no idea. The red-banded turtle always wore this unreadable expression that though Leonardo has tried for years to interpret it, he could never know what was going on behind those angry amber eyes.

And Leo didn't like that. He didn't like that one bit.

It wasn't the same for everyone else though. Mikey seemed to always know when Raphael was upset or grumpy and he would be there with a not-very-well-thought-out prank and a smile that would have the red-banded ninja chasing him for hours, both of them laughing and joking in a way that never would happen any other time. Donnie was always very understanding of Raphael and could just tell when the hothead needed someone to talk to, both of them spending hours in the garage working on something or other and not an angry word passing between them. Master Splinter of course knew Raphael probably better than he knew himself, and just a simple cup of tea and a few minutes of talking privately and he could calm Leo's little brother down at even the worst of times. Even Casey and April had a close relationship with Raph, Casey being his best friend that he wrestled and went out "patrolling" with and April who could have hours of long civilized conversation with him some nights over hot chocolate. Everyone else just seemed to know what Raph needed and he would simply let them in.

But with Leo… he steps into the same room and suddenly it's World War III.

Leonardo would be lying if he said he wasn't at all jealous of the rest of his family for the relationship they could have with Raphael. He remembered a time when he used to have that too, back when they were younger, before he was named leader. Leo remembered that Raphael used to be his best friend and there was no one else in the entire world that he trusted more or relied on more. Raph had trusted him as well back then and together they could do almost anything. Raph would confide in Leo the things that were on his mind and Leo could almost sense when his brother was upset and be there to help out. He was the one that his younger brother went to when he was lost or scared or happy or sad. He was the one that Raphael picked to be on his team and had the privilege to be called his closest family member.

But all that changed when Master Splinter named Leonardo leader.

Leo hadn't even realized how much his brother had apparently wanted the position for himself until he was given it instead. The day that their father announced that Leo would be taking the role as leader of their clan, Raphael hadn't even looked Leo's way. He had just stared straight ahead, his golden eyes vacant and almost confused. That was the first time Leo couldn't tell what his best friend was thinking and, along with the sudden responsibility of his new position, it scared him. The days following afterward were normal enough, but Leo slowly began to realize that Raph was spending more and more time away from him. In fact, Raph was spending more time away from everyone, but at least he still interacted with his other brothers. Leo didn't understand at the time what had driven his little brother so far away from him, but eventually he realized what must be behind the jealous looks his former best friend sent his way or why Raph suddenly felt the need to ignore everything Leo told him and start misbehaving.

Raphael had wanted to be leader and Leonardo had been chosen instead. Though his younger brother had never said it out loud, there could be no other explanation for it and Leo had no idea how to fix it. He couldn't exactly just give his little brother the position in hopes that it would let them be friends again. It was his responsibility and burden to bare, not that Splinter would ever allow him to just give it away anyway. Leonardo could only assume that Raphael felt rejected and that it was a matter of pride that his little brother avoided his companionship and constantly argued with his every decision, but he had no way to mend the bond that had been broken between them.

What would it take to make Raphael understand that he was sorry? That he was sorry he was chosen instead, that he was sorry that Master Splinter thought he was better prepared than his younger brother, that he was sorry that he was more mature, more patient, more careful, more calm, better at strategy, actually thought before he acted, and was the eldest brother so everyone automatically trusted him more.

Honestly, Leonardo was sorry.

He had never asked for any of this. Sometimes he would hate the fact that he was the most qualified for the job of leading his brothers and his clan through every dangerous situation they had to deal with. Did Raphael think he actually wanted to be the responsible one? The one that had to answer to Master Splinter for every mistake any of them did? The one that had to train twenty-four/seven so that he could he skilled enough to protect them? The one that had to lecture every one of them for every mistake because it could cost them their lives? The one who was never allowed to have any fun, who couldn't let loose or even just relax for a moment because danger could be anywhere? The leader who couldn't even reconnect with his best friend because he's too busy trying to keep him alive?

There were times when Leo wished more than anything that Raphael was chosen instead. Perhaps then they would still be able to be friends, and there would be no fights between them and he wouldn't have the constant burden of the safety of his family weighing him down. But all he had to do was think of only one of the times that Raphael had leaped into battle without thinking for that fantasy to be driven away. His little brother was many things, both good and bad, but a careful leader was not one of them. Leo loved his brother and wished more than anything that they could be friends again, but he couldn't see that ever happening as long as Raph held onto that jealousy and contempt. That was just the way it was and Leo understood that and accepted it.

But that didn't stop him from trying to teach Raph to be better and trying to understand him. A feat that seemed to becoming more and more impossible.

Take tonight for example. Leonardo was completely at a loss as to what the heck Raphael had been thinking. The mission was simple, break into Foot headquarters, have Don hack into their computer system and sabotage their subterranean scanning equipment so that they wouldn't be able to find the Lair and get out. Piece of cake, right? Well it would have been, if a certain someone hadn't completely disobeyed Leo's direct orders and placed them all in danger.

He had simply told his younger brother to watch Donatello's back while he worked on the computer system. Leonardo knew from experience that the genius could get pretty distracted and oblivious to his surroundings when he was concentrating on something and he had thought that Raphael understood that as well. The thought had briefly crossed his mind as he gave the order that he was leaving Raph out as he and Mikey went to the real action and that the red-banded turtle might have been a bit frustrated at that. He hadn't given the thought much attention, though, because he felt that, frustrated or not, Raphael valued their little brother's safety and would obey Leo simply because he knew he was needed to protect the purple-banded ninja.

It had never even crossed the leader's mind that Raph might ignore his orders altogether, leaving Donatello open and vulnerable, and race to where he and Mikey were fighting off Foot ninjas on the roof. Leo hadn't even noticed his immediate younger brother was there until Raphael slammed into him from behind and they both tumbled to the ground. Lucky Mikey was there to fight off their enemies while the two righted themselves, but before Leonardo could even think about yelling at Raph for being an idiot he noticed the thick, red blood that was pouring from the hothead's leg and knew that their mission was compromised. He had quickly flipped open his phone, ordered Donnie to abandon the computer and meet them at the Battleshell that was parked a couple blocks away and, despite his brother's protests, had lifted Raphael up onto his shoulders and ran for the next roof with Mike following close behind him.

It had been a disaster. Complete and utter failure. The only relief was that they had made it out for the most part unharmed. Both Don and Mikey were free of injury worse than a couple bruises or minor cuts, (for some reason the ninja they fought had mostly decided against bladed weapons) as was Leonardo. The only real injury was Raph's leg that, despite his protests the entire way home that he was fine, had been cut pretty deep and probably would have bleed out rapidly if they had stayed to fight. Donatello quickly reassured everyone that they had gotten him medical help in time and with a few stitches and bandages and a whole lot of rest, their brother would be back to fighting health in no time.

Leo had accepted the news with a relieved breath, realizing in that moment that he had been terrified for his little brother's health since the moment he saw all that blood on the rooftop. If he was being honest with himself, he would have to admit that it was this terror that had grown into an anger that festered in his stomach the rest of the night. He had waited patiently as they arrived home and Donnie had given his prognosis, stood by quietly while Raphael was patched up and Master Splinter was informed about their failure. He even kept his cool while Mikey joked about how it could have been worse and that at least Donatello had disabled most of the Foot's scanning equipment and both their father and genius brother had laughed and agreed. Leonardo waited as the fear and anger collided in his chest, barely noticing that his heartbeat was accelerating and that breathing was becoming difficult. He was dimly aware that if he didn't let this fear-induced anger out he would implode in on himself, but there was one thing he knew more than anything else.

He and Raphael were going to have a talk.

The fight happened, words were said, and Leo found himself wishing with all his might that he didn't have to deal with this anymore. His little brother obviously didn't want his help or protection, so maybe he should stop offering it to him. Maybe it would be better is Raphael left, there would certainly be less conflict and Leo wouldn't have to live with his brother hating him every day. The idea started sounding better and better and with Raph being difficult even at that moment, the words slipped from the leader's mouth and he hated himself even as he said them. He didn't even try to take them back though, not sure whether it was from anger or fear, and when Donatello had stepped in to be the clear-head, Leo felt that everything was going to be okay. Raph might not listen to him but he would certainly listen to Donnie, and he knew that all the angry words in the entire world wouldn't push Raphael away from his younger brothers when they needed him.

That was why he was surprised and even shocked when his immediate younger brother uttered those last ten words that rang in the leader's ears like the sound of a gunshot and even the sound of the Lair door opening and closing behind him weren't enough to drown them out.

Then there's no more reason for me to be here.

There wasn't a reason? Of course there was a reason! Multiple, in fact! What about his family? What about his little brothers, Mikey and Don? What about Master Splinter, his father? Or April and Casey, his friends? What about…

…what about Leonardo, his big brother? His… his best friend?

…no more reason for me to be here…

…no more reason…

…no more…

Leonardo felt his insides crumble and barely even heard his younger brothers call after their fleeing brother. He heard the entrance to the Lair open and close once again and knew even without looking that Mikey had ran after his older brother, Mikey being the fastest out of all of them would have the best chance of catching him even with Raphael's injured leg. Leo knew he should do something to help, something to help bring his little brother back, but he couldn't seem to convince himself to move from his position with his back to the door and his arms folded over his chest. His chest that seemed to be burning even at that very moment.

A warm hand landed on his shoulder and Leo could just barely make himself turn to look into Donatello's face. He half expected there to be blame there for driving Raphael away, but he only found understanding love in his younger brother's chocolate-colored eyes.

"He'll come back." The genius said simply, pulling his older brother into a tight embrace. "He always comes back. You'll see, Raph'll calm down and tire himself out and then he'll be back as grumpy as ever."

Leo felt tears prick at his eyes and had to swallow the lump in his throat before speaking.

"Yeah," He managed, hugging his genius brother closer. "Raph will come back. He always comes back."

But yet Hamato Leonardo couldn't shake the feeling that Raphael had just run out of him coming back.

Author's Note: And there you go. I wasn't sure if I was clear with that last line, but I hope I got my point across. As you have probably already guessed, Raph's not planning on returning and getting him back is going to be a little more complicated than simply waiting. I have a plan for how I want this to go, but I'd love to hear your ideas.

Thanks and Review!