Ch 6 Past and Present Collide.

Leo walked into the lair and went straight to the kitchen, they had not yet had breakfast so that was his first priority. Maybe after having something to eat, he figured he would feel better and would be able to deal with the situation he was going through with more clarity. He sat at the table with a bowl of cereal and watched as each of his brothers walked in and got themselves something to eat as well.

"You want to tell us what's going Leo?" Raph asked him as he sat down in a chair across from him.

"Nothing is going on Raph." He took a bite of cereal.

"You've been acting all weird lately Leo." Mikey pointed out. "How bout just telling us what you're dealing with."

"It's nothing Mikey." Leo was getting irritated.

"Leo, if the Tengu ring has something to do with your dreams or nightmares or whatever it is your going through, you should just let us know." Donnie implored. "Let us help."

Leo sighed. "I'm not sure what's going on so leave me alone right now and I'll come to you when I figure it out!" He glared at his brothers, his voice rising in irritation. He quickly finished his food, moved his chair out forcefully and went to his room.

Upon entering his room, he went about pulling out his tatami mat, candles and matches, and, after setting the candles around the mat and lighting them, he got into the meditative lotus position and attempted to meditate. He closed his eyes and took deep breathes, attempted to clear his mind and push away the thoughts that have been plaguing him the past several days.

But it didn't seem to be working for him. Every time he closed his eyes, he continued to see the people from his nightmare screaming for help. The fire seemed so real, Leo actually began to feel as if the heat were surrounding him and the smoke actually choking him. The sword in his hand felt so real it took a moment for him to realize he was actually clenching his fist, but nothing was in it. After several minutes of this, he let out a frustrated huff and stood up.

He turned on his bedside radio and laid on his bed. He let out a low chuckle as the first song to come on was 'Demons' by Imagine Dragons.

It's where my Demons hide; It's where my Demons hide.

Don't get to close, it's dark inside,

It's where my Demons hide, It's where my Demons hide.

"You got that right." Leo thought to himself as he stood up, turned off the radio and began to pace his room debating weather to go and speak with his Sensei. He still couldn't explain what was happening but Splinter was wise as well as a good listener, so why not. He was just about to leave when his t-phone went off. It was Karai.

'Hey Leo. How's it going.' Leo smiled and quickly replied.

'Good, wat up? no classes.'

'Got a break. spoke with Splinter. looking forward to seeing you soon.'

Leo smiled as they text. Yes it would be nice to see her. That was something he definitely wanted very much. As they continued to text, Leo thought of the last time they were together. It had been well over a month ago, going on almost two, during the battle with the evil Triceratons. She had jumped into the middle of the battle and managed to prevent Shredder from killing Splinter, this time. Then she fought along side them and the rest of their allies.

After their win over the Triceratons, she accompanied them back home and stayed with them for a few days. Those were the happiest days of his life. Until Splinter announced he was sending her away due to Shredder's constant threat against them and Splinter's fear that he would try and take her away from him again. He had friends in Japan at a monastery that would take her and assist in educating her as well as keep her safe. They knew of his 'situation' and were happy to assist in her helping her deal with her mutation as well.

Although Leo had pushed his anger down, that was the closest he had ever come to actually hating his father. The night before, Karai had sneaked into his bedroom and they talked for hours. She left early that morning, but not before they shared a long passionate kiss. Elated and heart broken at the same time, he didn't speak to Splinter for days after that. But he managed to eventually speak with Splinter and after a long talk with him, he was able to accept what had to be done. But he still missed her, still longed to hold her. He sighed as they finished their 'talk' and decided he would again try to meditate when a knock on his door had him snapping out of his thoughts.

"Yeah?" He called out.

"Splinter wants us in the dojo." Mikey shouted from the other side. "Practice session."

Leo got up and left his room. Practice first and then maybe he would sit and talk to Splinter about what was happening with these strange nightmares.

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Leo frowned as he watched Mikey dance around him like some sort of foolish clown. He gritted his teeth as he attempted to get Mikey to spar with him. "Come on Mikey." He urged. "Focus!"

"I am Leo." Mikey taunted as he danced in front of him, swinging his nun-chucks. "I'm focused on making you lose your balance."

Suddenly with a loud ki-ah, Mikey flipped and sailed over Leo's head, grabbed the tails of his mask and yanked Leo's head backward causing Leo to land hard on his shell. "Mikey!" Leo yelled as he jumped up and glared at his youngest brother. Patient was wearing thin on the blue leader and he was coming close to wanting to just run after his youngest brother and start pummeling him.

"Sorry Leo." Mikey smiled and danced around him. "Can't mess with Dr. Flippen-stein." He said flipping over him again.

Leo growled and rubbed his tired face. He took a deep breath and watched as Mikey continued to dodge his strikes and swipes while dancing around to his own silly little tune. From behind him, he could hear Raph and Donnie going at it hard. Raph was a good ninja to spar with, he always gave Leo a challenge and he was really beginning to wish his Sensei had paired him with Raph. Even Donnie could challenge him, granted their sparring usually didn't last long enough but Donnie was at least determined to win. Mikey was just one who always wanted to play, and normally Leo didn't mind, too much. But today, like recently, Mikey's antics was the last thing Leo needed.

Splinter watched his oldest with extreme interest. He knew Leo was under great stress and, granted, he had just been turned into an infant and then back again only a couple of weeks ago. That in itself can certainly do a lot to a person. But Splinter knew there was so much more going on then these strange dreams and nightmares. He only hoped Leo would come to him soon.

Splinter could see Leo was losing his patients with his younger brother. He usually could defeat Mikey with ease, even if he was being silly during their sparring, but now...Splinter shook his head as he watched his prize pupil swing his katana clumsily and with no direct purpose. Almost as if his mind was elsewhere.

"Ow!" A sudden yell from Donatello brought Splinter out of his musings and away from his worries as he watched Raphael jump on Donnie's shell and began using it for a drum. "Enough Raph!" Donnie yelled out.

Meanwhile, Leonardo was growling at Mikey as the smaller turtle continued to slap his shell, dance around him like an irritating insect and taunt him with incoherent words. Leo could only take so much before his emotions got the better of him. He was done with his brother antics. He raised his sword with an intent to hit him with the butt end, but a sudden hit in the face from the end of Mikey's nun-chuck had him seeing red.

"ENOUGH MIKEY!" Leo yelled.

MIkey looked up in time to see Leo's sword coming down on him, his eyes widen in fear as the gleaming katana was just about to slice him in two.