AN: Last chapter! :] It's Leo's turn to share his POV. I saved the leader for last b/c I knew he would give us a fitting end to this fic. If I feel like it, I might do more TMNT fics in the future, but I won't guarantee it since I'm such a procrastinator when it comes to my other stories, lol. Bear with me!!

So, without further adieu, here's Leo's POV. Enjoy!

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POV 4: Leonardo

Besides Master Splinter, I'm usually the first one up in the morning. I find it important to get any early start every day, that way you can be prepared for anything unexpected. Not to mention, I get the most peace during morning hours since my brothers like to sleep in.

The next turtle to emerge from our room was Donatello who uttered a tired "g'morning" and immediately opened up some of his books. I studied every once in a while too, but the only thing my mind could concentrate on in the morning was exercising. It didn't feel right if I missed training as soon as I got out of bed. Mikey followed soon after, too focused on breakfast to even say hello to us. Typical Michelangelo.

I went back to my training, taking a 10 second breather every few minutes or so. I was pretty meticulous when it came to working out. It's as father always says: "Train yourself recklessly, and you will surely succumb to weariness in both body and mind. Train yourself with patience, and the strength to go on will surely be with you always." I lived by that code. Of course, I lived by almost every code our master taught us. How do you think I got where I am today?

"WOO HOO!! Justice Force cereal for breakfast! I'm totally gonna have a good day with these in my system!"

Mikey's abrupt outburst broke my train of thought for a moment, but I didn't let that distract me. A main enemy of a ninja is distraction. It goes right along with letting one's guard down. I admit I used to fall prey to this underhanded technique used by past foes, but not anymore. From now on, those flaws won't play a part in my life ever again, at least not on my watch.

"Yo, Leo! Need a sparring partner?" Raph's voice snapped me out of my revere as I executed one more swipe of my swords and faced him.

"Well, look who finally got up. You sure you're ready for this? I've been doing warm-ups all morning."

"Yeah, yeah. No problem! I got this." The usual response.

"It's your funeral." I gave him a knowing grin.

"Heh! That's my line bub."

I decided to steam him up a bit. This always kept things more interesting during our practices. "Younger siblings first."

As expected, Raph came at me with a scowl and the battle had begun. He fought admirably, but that bad temper always held him back from reaching his full potential. I can't tell you how many times I've tried relaying that exact message to him without him getting his shell in a bunch over it. My brothers can't figure out where all this anger comes from seeing as we all grew up together in a relatively normal, loving family, but, just as Master Splinter, I started catching on to why it was always like this.

Raphael is the second oldest of us four siblings. This means that he and I were both up for the position of leader. In truth, age really didn't have much of anything to do with who would become head turtle in the future. Donny could just have easily been chosen to be head of our group, but early on he told Master Splinter that he didn't want to be a candidate for that role. With him being the smartest turtle among us, we didn't question his judgement.

Leadership is all about focus, determination, courage, and compassion. Raph had these qualities, but he still needed some work in the compassion department. Sensei saw this and felt he wasn't ready to accept such responsibility, saying that his anger could transpose the decisions he makes into something that might harm more than help us. Father didn't reveal these thoughts to Raph directly, but I think my brother knew the results nonetheless.

So, to help him rise to the point of becoming a good leader in case I fall in the clutches of battle one day, I began giving him advice in between jabs. This way he could retain the knowledge while fighting and adapt to these new moves in no time at all.

Regrettably, it didn't seem like Raph was enjoying my teaching lesson.

"Would you stop lecturing me already and just fight? It's like you can't throw a punch without opening your big mouth!"

We stopped sparring for a minute. Why couldn't he just receive my help without complaining?

"What's your problem? Get up on the wrong side of the shell this morning?"

"Shut it, Leo! You ain't my mom so quit actin' like it."

This pointless banter when on for a while, all the focus I had on training was quickly dissipating along with Raph's self control. I know I'm supposed to be the calm and collected one, but when it comes to Raphael sometimes I just wanna... well, I won't go into details.

"Geez, even after all that's happened you still act like you're the better turtle, eh?"

"I didn't say that, Raph." There he goes, putting words into my mouth again.

"Tch! You don't hafta' say it. Your attitude is what does the talkin'. Every time we spar together you gotta lecture me in between punches on what I'm doin' wrong or somethin', as if you're Mr. Perfect over here!" When the shell did I ever say I was perfect?! But I knew that if I said that out loud he'd get even more angry.

"I'm just trying to help. There's no reason I can't do that, is there?" I attempted to reassure him.

"Well, guess what? I don't need your stinkin' help, kapeesh? I can figure out things on my own so don't start tellin' me what to do!" That night on the roof tops came flashing back to me. The biggest fight we ever had, brother against brother. It's not something I'm very proud of, so I was planning to keep that memory locked away. Raph just had to bring it all back.

"So this is how it's gonna be, just like last time? Demanding that I don't interfere with your life? Accusing me of controlling you like some puppeteer? I'm telling you right now Raph, that's NOT what I'm trying to do!"

"Yeah, well it sure seems like it to me! You're always talkin' about how we should act as a team and work 'as one body and mind' if we want to overcome our problems. But, you know, ever since you've returned from your little adventure as Tarzan, your ego has gotten bigger my the minute and I ain't likin' it!"

He's one to talk!

"Oh, my ego? When I came back you were off playing the hero as if you owned the city, as if the turtles never existed! Then you spout all this nonsense about being a one-man-show and contradict yourself by saying that YOU are more suited to be leader. Tell me: whose ego has grown over the past year?" This wasn't setting a good example for our two little brothers, but hey! It's not my fault Raph's always looking for a fight.

"That's just it, big brother! You act like we've lost touch with everything that we've ever been taught, like we're hatchlings! You aren't our master Leo so don't go pretending you are!"

"One day I might be, Raphael!" I knew this would be something he didn't want to hear, but he had to accept it sooner or later.

"Is that so?"

"If anything were to ever happen to Master Splinter then I would have to take his place. You should know that just as well as anybody."

"Ha! You'd like that, wouldn't you. To be the master of us? To pass on your 'infinite fountain of wisdom upon your humble disciples? To take Master Splinter's place?"

Hold. Everything.

"Just what are you implying?!"

Somewhere in my mind, there was a trigger about to be pulled. The damage it could cause might be irreversible. But that didn't stop Raph from delivering the finishing blow.

"I think you know exactly what I'm sayin', Leo."

THAT'S IT.

It was on. The two of us, grabbing at each other like a pair of savage animals, seeing who would draw first blood. Although deep down I knew Raphael didn't mean to insult Master Splinter, I didn't care. All I could think about was taking my brother down. It's time he learned a little something about knowing his place.

From my point of view, I could see Master Splinter trying to intervene, but neither of us would have it. My sense of obedience was telling me to stop and not go against my master's will, but this felt like something I had to settle with Raph here and now, verbally or not.

When I saw Raph growl and shove something behind him I hadn't the foggiest what had happened. It was that awful cracking sound that got my complete attention. It was like the thunder that struck on nights where us hatchlings would run to our father's side for comfort. It seemed, this time, that thunder was father. Looks like Don had been hit by Raph during our struggle and ended up crushing Master Splinter in the process.

"Master Splinter? Master Splinter, are you alright?!"

Donny was the first to speak up. My own voice was constricted. All I could do was pathetically stand there and watch as our sensei let out an ill moan. My immediate thought: this was all my fault.

Finally, my mouth opened, "Master, are you-"

"YOU BONEHEADS!!"

Woah.

"How could you two be so ignorant?! Your fights have gotten to the point where there's no point at all! If you guys can't control yourselves enough to where you start hurting others around you, then there's really going to be a problem!"

It was hard to pay attention to the situation at hand when Donny was giving us a lesson that Master Splinter would have surely relayed to us if he weren't injured.

"Now either both of you calm the shell down, or I'm going to... to... Well, you won't like it!"

The lair was silent once more, just like this morning. It was as if the guys were still asleep and I was still training alone. In that moment, I knew, without a doubt in my mind, that Donatello would've been a well suited leader.

"Woooah... Like, Donny totally whipped you guys!"

For once, my younger brother was right.

"Donny, I-" I knew better than to say anything for the time being, but Raph didn't. Though my worry for Master Splinter was growing...

"Don't 'Donny' me! If anything you should be apologizing to Master Splin..."

"Oooh..."

"...ter?"

It was a rare thing when all of us turtles were speechless.

"Goodness! I haven't felt this way in years." I couldn't believe it.

"Uhh, sensei? Are you okay?" Once again, Donny took the role of the responsible son and showed me what a terrible job I was doing at the moment.

"Ah yes. I'm fine Donatello. Thank you for your concern. I have been having some back problems for a while now, but it seems that those worries are all in the past."

"Your back? You mean... you're feeling better after what's happened?" I was just as curious about this fact.

"In a sense, yes my son. Although the method by which my pain was relieved was unexpected, it got the job done."

My next thought was of relief that Master Splinter would be okay. A man... er, rat of his caliber wouldn't lie about these things since we already do enough of that ourselves.

"Now then, I shall finish the task that Donatello here has begun."

I knew what was about to happen, but I didn't move from that spot. I was ready to accept any punishment our father saw fit for our rash and inappropriate behavior.

It shocked me to see that all we received was a usual whack on the head.

"When I ask you to cease in your bickering I expect to be heeded!"

This was it? For some reason, it seemed like the punishment was... well, not good enough for what we had done. I hated the feeling of being unfulfilled, no matter the situation.

Perhaps Master Splinter knew this would bother me?

"I had thought your attitudes would have changed after our recent battle against Winter's four warriors, but I see that there is still much training to do when it comes to quelling these blustering emotions."

I see now. Sensei would often tell us that the most affective form of punishment would be not to punish at all. In that sense, he who performed his wrong-doing would have time to self-reflect upon his actions and hopefully see the error of his ways.

Man. And here I thought this concept should only be applied to the enemy.

"We're sorry Master Splinter." I felt that, as leader, the fault should rest upon my shoulders. It's what Master Splinter would've done for us, right?

"Guess we haven't chilled out from the last time we fought." But I was still pleased to see that Raph was sharing some of that weight.

"Well, my sons, you will be doing plenty of 'chilling out' in the dojo this morning with me. Come. Say your sorry to one another as well as your brother."

This part was hard for both of us, but not impossible. "Sorry Raph." I had hoped he understood how much I meant it.

"Yeah. Me too." I could tell he wasn't letting the argument go just yet, but I would give'm time. I knew he'd come around eventually.

There was two more people I had to apologize to. "Sorry Donny, Master Splinter. Things got a little carried away." After all, they were never part of our petty fight in the first place. Donny, like our sensei, was able to forgive us without a second thought. This, too, was one of the many qualities a good leader has, one that I obviously hadn't mastered yet.

"It won't happen again, sensei." This time, I truly meant it.

Raph teased Donny about his sudden beserker rage, which helped lighten the mood a bit. Things were slowly getting back to the way they were this morning.

As Mikey nearly got in trouble with Raph (for the umpteenth time), I was preoccupied within myself. After these few, miniscule minutes of sparring, fighting, and forgiving, I realized that my path to becoming a master in the art of ninjutsu was still a long ways off. But, with slight surprise, I didn't mind. As long as I had my brothers with me throughout the journey, everything would be fine. I was sure of it.

"Now. Shall we, my sons?" Raph and I entered the dojo, ready to clear our minds of the anger that still lingered from before. I was prepared. I believe Raph was too.

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I laughed to myself. There was ol' Raph just minding his own business up on the water tower again. It becomes a natural instinct to know where your brothers are at certain times. Knowing that he had cooled down long ago, I took my place next to him, letting my feet hang out over the ledge of the structure.

"Hey there hothead."

"'Sup fearless leader?"

It's funny how those words could either be seen as insulting or playful depending on how we feel around each other. It was like the blade of my katana. One side might hurt, the other wouldn't. That's basically our relationship summed up right there. We have sides of ourselves that we only show to one another, but I think that's what defines our brotherhood. Being this close, there's nothing that we can't handle when we're together, whether it be another day in the lair or alongside in battle. Raphael tries not to show it, but he knows just as much as I do how true this is.

"Hey, Raph?" After enough joking around, I put on a serious face.

He notices the change in my expression. "Yeh?"

"... Thanks." I smiled at him for the first time that day.

"Same here." He responded, mirroring my smile.

"Really, I... I don't mean to be the overbearing brother, I just want..."

For a while I couldn't find any words to express how I felt, but Raph knew just the remedy to cure my case of stage fright.

"Aww don't go getting' all sentimental on me bro!" He wrapped an arm around my head and gave me one of his power-noogies. We laughed at the irony that the younger brother was picking on the older brother. There was definitely going to be a red mark there later. "And hey. Fagetaboutit. We both had a little scum on our shells today, ya know?"

"Yeah." We kept a friendly arm around each other and looked back out to the ever-busy beehive known as New York city.

Ahh, brothers. Can't live with them, can't live without'em.

Heh! I'm sounding almost as corny as Mikey.

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AN: THE END. That was fun. I hope to do lunch with the turtles again sometime! I didn't make any of them too OOC, right? Of course not, lolololol!

Catch ya later dudes! :D