A/N: I'm BAAAAAAACK! Are you guys psyched? I AM! Anyways I'm now a hi skool gadget! Lol enjoy this chap, I hope it makes up for the month of hiatus! Love y'all!

I do not own TMNT not matter how many shooting stars I wish on

"Raphael, your stance is sloppy. Donatello, lift your elbows higher. Michelangelo! Leave that moth alone." Splinter barked at his students. "Stay strong in your core, Leonardo."

Leo gave his father a subtle look of gratitude for not leaving him out of his corrections, even though Leo had mastered this simple kata years ago and Splinter thought there was nothing to correct. Leo had spent the last two years training and strengthening, but Splinter knew relationships were strained between his sons, and chose not to favor any like he had sometimes in the past to show an example, but it had usually only made his second oldest angry and the other two unhopeful.

"Good," He finally acknowledged. "My sons, kneel." The four shelled bodies shuffled into a line and knelt in front of Splinter.

The rat sighed and leaned into the walking stick he held in his paws. "My sons, it has been a difficult journey these past few years. You have come from students and children that have never seen the sun, to grown you protectors of this city. It has not been easy to get here. Like any great accomplishments in life, there have been dangers, risks, and sacrifices made in order to become better." Splinters stopped for a breath, and the turtles noticed an unfamiliar hitch of crying from their father. All had heard it late at night, though they would never speak of it to each other or even Splinter. Whenever any of them were critically hurt and confined to the isolation of the med room, Splinter would come in late at night and sit at their bedside, hold a limp hand, and pray for his sons.

"I am growing older my sons, as are you all. You are growing less and less dependent on me and my guidance, though I hope I will still remain a part of your lives."

"Whoa, Sensei…"

"Are ya tellin' us goodbye?"

Splinter gazed sadly down at the four shocked faces before him, and smiled. "No, my sons." The four let out breaths they hadn't been aware of holding. "I am just an old rat telling you that which I hope you already know. It has been a long time since we have all been in a peaceful atmosphere all together. I know that you are all not fully healed from the scars of Leonardo's absence." Leo flinched and Raphael stiffened. "But, like you have done so many times in the past, I know you will grow closer and stronger by overcoming you own personal hurt and forgiving each other, and yourselves. I am not setting any expectations on you, nor am I going to fix this. I cannot. This is a task you must do, together. I will be here for council and guidance, but this you must do on your own. This is no tangible enemy like so many you have fought and defeated. These are emotions and feelings, trust that has been broken, and promises forgotten. It will take time for you to become a team again. I know you can get through this my sons. I have seen progress already."

Mikey raised his hand.

"Yes, Michelangelo?"

"Uh, not to be rude sensei, but I got absolutely no clue where this is going. I mean, I'm pretty chill with your lectures and stuff, but this is like a Donnie-lesson on physic-can-ismus whatevers. You usually get to the point by now."

Splinter smiled knowingly at his son. Michelangelo's childish personality was returning to the surface, and it gave Splinter hope that things would turn back to normal. "Michelangelo, I am saying that I am proud of all of you. You will forever be my sons. I am not saying goodbye, but I cannot promise I will always be here. As your father, I am giving you permission to go out and patrol the city once again. I know that I have told you limited and only gave permission that once, but now you may as often as you and your brothers see fit."

Mikey's eyes lit up, and he held in a laugh of joy. "Oh thank heavens! I need some more action. I'm getting sick of fighting each other and leather dummies."

Leo glanced at Raph, expecting him to make a snide comment about how Mikey was the only leather dummy they had, but he remained quiet, looking at the floor. Mikey was rocking back and forth with excitement and Donnie was shifting uncomfortably.

He probably has an experiment about to explode in his lab, Leo thought to himself with a tug of a smile.

"Is that all sensei?" Donnie asked quietly.

Ah, so Donnie noticed too. It seemed like sensei had more to say to us than just lifting our grounding.

Splinter sighed before looking up from the floor. "Yes, you are dismissed."

Mikey shot up and ran through the dojo doors, followed closely by Donatello. Raph slowly stood, and Leo noticed him glance at Splinter. Leo remained sitting until he had left. He hopped up to grab a cushioned mat for his father and candles, as he had often done when he was younger to train and meditate longer after practice.

"What is troubling you, father?" Leo said as he sat down across from the rat.

Splinter slowly lit the candles. Leo hopped up and flipped off the lights. The faint glow from the candles highlighted Splinter's whiskers.

"Father," Leo reminded gently, as he sat back down. He looks so old. Something is on his mind. He seems older and more worn down when he is upset or worrying about something.

Splinter continued to stare into the candles, the smell of hot wax and burning numbing his senses with familiarity. He cleared his throat and looked up at his oldest son, the worry clear on his face.

"How are you, Leonardo?" Splinter internally smiled when Leo shot back in surprise.

"Um, I'm fine father."

"You know what fine means, right?" Leo looked puzzled, and Splinter's smile reached his lips. His oldest was unfamiliar with his newfound passion that Mikey had exposed while Leo had been away.

"Um, Sensei?"

"Freaked out, insecure, neurotic and emotional."* Splinter chuckled. "You're brother was often alone, and, being uncomfortable by himself, relied on me to be a constant companion while watching his movies."

Leo still looked confused, and Splinter laughed again before continuing, his solemn mood and stress returning. He arched his shoulders to relieve the tension, and Leo looked almost angry.

"What is the matter, my son?"

"Sensei, enough of these games! I don't want to sit here and talk about how I am. You look so tired, and I know something is worrying you. What happened?"

Splinter froze in shock for a moment. "My son…"

Leo grunted and looked at the ground. "I am sorry, Father. I am just frustrated with Raph."

Splinter flinched at the name. "My son, do not be sorry for being frustrated. I understand."

"What is wrong with him, Sensei? He's dead. He doesn't smile, he doesn't laugh, he doesn't even get angry anymore, no matter how much Mikey provokes him."

Splinter closed his eyes and bowed his head.

"Father? What's wrong?" Leo stood up and touched his arm. His shoulders were shaking.

Splinter grabbed onto Leo's arm and pulled him down. He brushed at his eyes before looking at Leo.

"Raphael wants to leave. Alone."

A/N: If you can name this movie, you are my best friend.