Chapter 10

Leo P.O.V

As he watched the others go out into the woods, the eldest was both annoyed and glad that he could not go out in search for his brother. Of course he wished he was fit enough to go through the woods to help Raph- where ever he was, but then again, this was the first time since- well he couldn't remember when- that he'd been alone for a short space of time. Since emerging from the void less than twenty four hours ago, Leonardo had been constantly surrounded by his family, all ready to catch him at the slightest stumble or to comfort him about the things he'd gone through- which although was reassuring to know his family was there for him, the closeness almost distanced him even further from the others.

He was their leader, he needed to be strong for his family, yet since awakening from the Void all sense of responsibility felt like it had melted away, leaving the eldest feeling oddly vulnerable.

Shredder and his goons had done this to him. He told himself sternly, hating the frustrated thoughts aimed at his family- for this- for all of this- Shredder would pay. Leo had lied when he told his family to let the matter drop, for he wished to face Shredder one on one again, but the next time- one of them wouldn't walk away. Of that, he was certain.

Leo placed more weight on his crutch and limped into the farmhouse, his anger over how weak he had become burning through his veins. He was now a shell of his former self- he could see that just from the way his family was treating him- as a weak, barely functioning shadow of the warrior he had once been. It was painful to accept three entire months had passed so quickly and without his knowledge, but with the sheer scale of pain and weakness of his body, so much so he couldn't even follow his brother across a creek- that was enough of a hint as to how long he was out for.

Yet more than anything, Leo wished he was strong enough to train- or even just hold an argument with someone- anything that would help to release the anger form his system and pump adrenaline through his deprived veins. He needed to move- but most importantly he wanted to do so without concerned faces following his every shaking step. He was not the helpless creature standing for the first time- but rather a fighter gaining strength with each step… Or at least attempting to.

With a disgruntled sigh, Leo recalled the way his brothers had attempted to make him feel as if everything was back to normal by second guessing his orders, sure it was annoying, but it filled up a small part of the void which was Leo's reality for it felt natural. Just because he was wounded didn't mean his brothers had to willingly do everything he ordered them to do- and thankfully they hadn't.

But his restless wanderings around the house wasn't without purpose- or even to blow off dome steam but rather the eldest of the turtles was looking for something- two somethings in fact- which he knew Raph had stored away after realising Leo's determination to train. Donnie had specifically ordered training to consist of leg exercises and nonstrenuous katas- without weapons of course- however, the once fearless leader was being drawn towards his swords like a moth towards the flame. In times of trouble, his blades had acted as an anchor of stability for him to clutch onto, so by taking them up once more, he hoped he would be able to feel something of himself return. The problem was, though, he needed to find them first.

Closing his eyes, Leo attempted to get a feel for Raph's mind and presence around the house through a form of meditation Splinter had taught him as a way of finding his brothers through their previous actions. At first the feel for Raph was strongest in the bathroom- for obvious reasons- but then the feeling was interrupted by an explosion of pain, anger and confusion as well as a mindless lust to smash out at something which sent Leo's mind spiralling back three months and the room melted away.

With a jolt, Leo found himself watching his final battle with Shredder's goons and saw the way his anger and fury had overtook him as he fought with such violence it was no surprise they had wanted payback. He watched as he kicked away Fishface, then Razzar then Tigerclaw, then- with horror- he watched as the Shredder silently dropped down behind him and lift his gauntlet up high. The former Leo turned, shock and fear clearly written over his features as the blades came down-

A sudden flash exploded in Leo's mind and he stumbled back- finding himself in the hallway of the farmhouse- as he desperately swallowed back bile which was crawling its way up his throat. It was only once he had sank to the floor did Leo realise his that his skin was damp with sweat, and that his whole body was trembling in excruciating pain- as if he had just gone through the fight physically again. NO… he cursed, he had to fight it… He attempted to put his weight onto one leg, yet it trembled beneath him and would not hold, sending him crashing to the floor again with the memory and the pain a pair of weights forcing him down. With a gulp, Leo felt the tears of frustration form, but he did not wipe them away, and why should he. This was what he was now- there was no denying it, he was a broken toy which would never work again.

Leo bowed his head and attempted to hold back such thoughts and the growing sense of panic which was welling up inside. He needed to focus. He would never get better if he continued on like this… For his brothers. He would get a hold of himself for them.

But what scared Leo was how the memory had exploded while he was mentally searching for Raph. Did that mean that the Shredder had followed them all the way out here and was in the woods- possibly hurting his brothers?

No! He scolded himself sharply, wiping his eyes with his still shaking hand. That was ridiculous, Shredder was determined, but with the invasion- that would take priority, anyway- if something had happened to his brothers he would sense it… Wouldn't he?

His hand dropped once more- but this time not in defeat. He picked up his fallen crutch and wedged it under his arm to heave his wounded form off the floor. He had to move. First he would find his swords to train and if no one had returned in an hour, he would go and look for them.

That was- only if he would stop shaking…

Sorry it's only short but I merged the entire block of writing from the end of within the woods episode into one large chapter so thought I would do it in sections so you readers would get chapters more often and I wouldn't have a ten page long chapter!

So:

Why did Leo have such a sudden flashback?

Where did Raph hide those swords?

Will our poor Leo ever recover mentally?

Thanks as always to all of you amazing readers, you are making this exam period seem so much nicer! XD

LL99 out!