A/N - Thanks to everyone for their continued support of this story! Let me know what you think

Bonded: Leonardo

It's been at least half an hour since Raphael and April disappeared into the kitchen, where they seemed to be having a long, quiet conversation. Unfortunately it was too quiet for me to hear, and I've spent the time pinned to the armchair with indecision. Don had seated himself in the other chair and looked exhausted, so I told him to take a nap and we would keep an eye on Splinter. Of course, he refused but after sitting down for all of five minutes he was sound asleep. He should rest; it had to be hard on him having to take care of an injury like that. I don't think I could do it. Mikey was flipping through one of April's magazines with his shell leaning against the couch, but I could tell he wasn't really reading it by the way he kept reaching up to touch Splinters hand. My heart broke at the sight of my younger brothers.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what else to do but wait. From my position in the arm chair I could watch over all my family and just about see April and Raph in the kitchen. That's where my indecision came in. I need to talk to Raph. But at the same time I don't want to cause an argument or set him off. Should I give him some space? At least he's talking to April. The leader in me wants to know the details of what happened tonight, but the big brother in me wants to make sure Raph is ok.

He's been so subdued since we rescued them and I'd almost prefer an angry, raging Raph to the one who's been staring into space since we got here. Glancing over at Master Splinter, I can see no change in his condition either good or bad. I want him to wake up; just so we can all be sure he'll be ok. But I know he's going to be in pain when he does, and it makes me feel helpless. I should have been there.

"Dude, just go talk to him already" came Michelangelo's voice, interrupting my thoughts.

Returning to the present, I see Mike has put down the magazine and is now looking at me expectantly.

"What do you mean?" I ask, feigning ignorance

"Raph. You keep staring at him and April, just go talk to him. I'm sure I can look after Mater Splinter alone for a few minutes" he replied, rolling his eyes slightly

"Ok, fine" I huff, as I reluctantly leave my seat. There would be no peace until I spoke to Raph, especially now Mikey knew.

The quiet conversation abruptly stopped when I entered the kitchen area, and April greeted me with a tired smile. Raph kept his shell to me and seemed intent on staring straight ahead.

"Hey, Leo" said April warmly "why don't I go check on Splinter"

April patted Raph's arm as she moved past him and towards me, giving a small nod in my direction. I understood her message; talk to him.

Hesitantly, I moved to take April's seat opposite my brother and noted a series of bandages around Raph's arms and the darkening bruises that littered his body.

"You, doing ok?" I ask, and then mentally berate myself for asking such a stupid question. Why is talking to Raph so hard? It's obvious he's not ok.

"I'm just great" he snaps back, though it lacks the usual bite

"Sorry" I mumble before continuing "how bad are you hurt?"

"Just some bruises, its nothing" replies Raph, who is still not looking at me. Why did I think he'd make this easy for me?

"Look, I just want to say I'm sorry. I should've listened to you in the first place. You thought the dragons were up to something and I didn't even hear you out. It was a poor choice by me, and because of that you and Sensei paid the price" I rushed out the apology, hoping he wouldn't interrupt

After a moment of stillness, Raph finally looks at me.

"Don't take the blame, this is all on me. I'm sorry. You always say I endanger the family when I don't listen. Guess you were right" says Raph bitterly, and I want desperately to contradict him. There is blame for both of us in this. Before I can even formulate a reply, my brother continues.

"Ya know, he tried to take the blame too?

"What?" I ask, secretly hoping he will continue

"Splinter. Bleeding to death, with a bullet in him and he tried to say it was his fault not mine" I could see Raph's temper rising, but this time not at me "he told me to go. To leave him"

"He knew you wouldn't do that. None of us would" I reply cautiously, hoping to keep the conversation going

"I told him I didn't need him, Leo" announced Raph, his amber eyes staring straight into my own "and then he took a bullet for me"

"Raph, he knew you didn't mean it" I say, believing wholeheartedly Raph had not meant it

"Yeah? I spent all night thinking about how much I resented him! I got so caught up in my head, I didn't even think-" Raph takes a deep breath, steadying the emotion I can practically feel off him "the last thing he could have heard was me saying I didn't need him. As soon as he got shot, I realised it wasn't true. All the anger I'd been building against him all night, went away in a second"

I'm not sure what to say to any of this, but Raph ploughs on like he's determined to get it all out. This isn't like him and I can tell he hates sharing the personal details with me. All the same, I'm glad he is.

"I thought he would die Leo. That made all my anger at him seem so stupid. How could I even think that way about him?"

The last part was almost pleading with me for answers, and the big brother in me immediately leapt to the task.

"I think I understand now. Don and Mikey spoke to me about how you guys don't really get an opinion, and it's something we all need to work on. Raph, no matter how many times you've been angry with me I never actually believed anything you said in anger. I hope you didn't believe anything I said either. Splinter knows you didn't mean it. I think he went to get you, because he felt guilty himself. I think we can all share the blame on this one" I finish, desperately hoping my words can ease my brother's burden

"Yeah, but what I said hurt him, Leo" replied Raph, with a sad expression that didn't suit him. It was so unfamiliar to see on my hot tempered brother.

"When he wakes up, apologise" I say, "and so will I. We're family Raph, and getting mad at each other is pretty normal"

"There was bound to be something normal about us I guess" he says with a sigh, and I smile as some of the tension drains out of us.

We sit in relative peace for a few minutes, each working through our own thoughts when the atmosphere changes once again.

"Guys, get in here!" called Mikey, startling both myself and Raph. The peace was nice while it lasted.