Chapter 17

What lies ahead

"Are you sure you're alright?"

Leo loved his brother, but at times like this Leo honestly wished Usagi would stop nagging. He almost thought if he made eye contact with Usagi it would make him believe him. But Leo couldn't, not for fear of being found out but the fact was he had a challenge at hand.

Deep breath, calming cool breeze being sucked in past relaxed lips. He opened his eyes and took a glimpse at the target, the bag of dirt hanging off the tree. But that's all he needed. Eyes closed, he raised one arm out straight and the other held the fledging between his fingers and nestled it back in place, the soft feather resting against his cheek. It was almost as comforting as holding his sword in his hands. Or rather the comfort it used to give him. The abyss his mind would fall into when he didn't have to worry about Mikey getting into trouble, or now with the arrival of his two new brothers, or about Donnie getting into a coughing fit. The two youngest were now off gallivanting somewhere, or rather, Mikey was off dragging Donnie away. The poor purple masked kame never stood a chance against Mikey's spontaneous theatrics and bursts of energy. A twitch on his lips, a smile. That's why his aka-chan was his aka-chan. So adorable, so clueless.

'No' he mentally reprimanded himself.. Not loudly, just a whisper. That was his secret. Calm, emptied mind. With the medicine on his scalp he could fade even more into a meditative mind. His lips twitched again. He remembered getting on his knees to pick up his tea and hearing Don cry out in horror, Leo had been confused at the reaction till Don ran over and took his scalp in his hands. Because of their height difference, it had only been then when Don had seen the damage of the hot tea. He tried laughing and telling Don it was nothing but Donnie already had a clay jar out and was rubbing something on his scalp. Hhis protests were out the window when the stinging pain was replaced by blissful coolness. It paid to have a I-sha for a brother.

Leo's fingers relaxed and the arrow shot out and made its mark in the bag, dirt leaking out just under where the arrow stuck in. If it were a body there would be no doubt of its fate. A collective groan came from the surrounding group of older men (well, the young adults) and a few cheers. At least from the ones who had bet for Leo. He wasn't normally comfortable being the center of attention. But this wasn't just attention, this was just acknowledgement of skill. It was almost ritual. Whenever Leo picked up his yumi a crowd from the guards always gathered around him with wide eyes. IT was hard to Leo not to feel proud, these were the ones he looked up to. He spent his childhood following them and having them tease him like a little brother. It was satisfying almost. Leo took a moment to look over at the guard again, "sorry Daiki." he said with a obvious 'I'm not sorry' smile,

If it had been any other neko in that family, they probably would of scowled and hissed and complained. But Daiki was about the only Neko in that family that Leo could stand. His tan fur and black tied back hair made him look no different then his brothers, sisters and cousins but he tended to smile more often then his family. And the fact he was one of the towns guards already earned him Leo's respect. Even if he had bet against Leo. He released the arrow in his hand and sent another arrow into perfect form and perfect strike. It never even hurt his feelings when Daiki bet against him every time. Because that meant that he had faith in him. It was a challenge.

And the score was currently 124-12. Needless to say, he was a much more effective teacher then the old pig In school

Actually Leo was pretty sure that if he fell asleep when Daiki was talking to him he would find himself being tossed into the river. He glanced over at Usagi, he could tell that his brother was thinking the same thing with at knowing smile. Leo returned it before whipping out another arrow and shooting it right at the target again, another solid hit. Another collective groan, his fuel. He was now 47/47 , if he wanted Daiki to loose the bet. A skimmed thought sent another arrow., another hit in the target next to it. Another dead hit. A perfect shot. 40 for 40. He needed twenty more to make Daiki pay up.

Back to Mikey, a second hit, a dead hit again. Almost as soon as Mikey had gotten up he had begged Usagi to let him take Donnie out for a tour, so he had drug the poor turtle away from the breakfast table. The second youngest had turned to Raph for help *who had been eating breakfast with vigor (even going so far as to tell Mikey it wasn't half bad) But Raph had tossed Donnie his bo staff and a water sack full of medicine and left the poor turtle to the wolves.

Aka Mikey.

Leo lowered his bow again as Usagi went to pluck the arrows off the targets, the torn bags being replaced with undamaged ones. He loved his aka-chan and would slug anyone who said he need to change. But He had to be honest. On his way home his mind was constantly thinking about Don and Mikey meeting. But the two were almost as different as, well as different as him and Raph. Different ends of the spectrum, Except in different ways, Mikey was Mikey, his silly funny little brother who loved to have everyone around him tell him how adorable and lovable he was. Donnie was shy and studious, who loved to be quiet. But there were similarities He could vaguely remember through his childhood that the two were nearly inseparable. He just prayed that the two would find those similarities again.

Somehow

"Okonawa."

Leo snapped out of his thoughts to see Usagi moving away from the targets. He gave him a smile in thanks but the look in Usagi's eyes said it all. He let his smile fade away as he pulled the arrow back again with the feathers resting against his face, "I don't want to talk about it." he said with another release and another strike. Dirt pouring out of the bag, a simulation of blood.

NO,

The flinch across his face was painful to the bruise he knew was growing on his face. His heart was racing too fast now. He drew in his elbow to release the tension in his bow. Signifying a break, it was another challenge from Daiki, to go through 60 arrows without a break, but now he was compromised and he really did need it. He didn't want to look at Daiki but instead looked over to Usagi, his brothers face was almost relieved as he broke the ranks of the young men and walked on over, "Change your mind?" he asked

That was obvious, and Leo didn't feel like reiterating it, he just looked over at Usagi again. Hoping his face said what he was feeling. It was part of being brothers. Usagi gave him a nod. He had been there too. But Leo still wasn't sure how it happened.

(#)(#)(#)(#)

Leo moved over to the door in time to see Mikey dragging Donnie off towards the village. The smaller kame's feet were scrambling around hoping for solid ground his free hand clutching his bo staff and a water-bag full of medicine. Despite the frantic 'Please please save me from this strange creature of hyper energy in excessive never-ending words' look Donnie cast him before he was drug off. But Leo smiled, he couldn't help it. The fact that Mikey was even taking a interest was amazing. But it was probably because Donnie was almost his size made Mikey feel some sort of ,'kinship'. He glanced back around to Raphael with a smirk, "I'm surprised you let Mikey take him away"

"Donnie should atleast see the crap-hole we're living in for now."

Crap hole? Leo could feel his fist twitch. This was his home, it was the place he was raised and the place he wanted to die. He wanted to see Mikey grow up here and he and Usagi would become the samurai they trained for, "Murakami."

"Wut?" Raph looked over at, his amber eyes annoyed.

"My HOME is not a crap-hole. I've SEEN crap-holes, and this is NOT a crap-hole." He crossed his arms. He could see Usagi smirk lightly. Raph rolled his eyes "Yeah ,sure, whatever. Where can I rinse my bowl?"

"Outside, we have a bucket full of water you can rinse out your bowl."

Raph gave a grunt in acknowledgement before taking up the bowls and exiting the house. The very air in the house seemed to alleviate with the absence of the bulky kame. Leo took a deep breath, one he didn't realize he hadn't released. Leo looked over to Usagi again, "well?"

"what?"

"I know you have something you want to say."

"It is only a opinion, brother, that doesn't mean I need to vocalize it."

"I know. I'm asking you too." he paused, "Please."

Usagi looked up to Leo as though ensuring this is what he really wanted. But it was, Leo trusted his brothers opinion. That was something he had in common in with Donnie. They were both quiet, observers almost. Usagi's' observations were usually spot on, so when He looked over at Leo, Leo knew he was in for the truth, "I have not seen enough of either of them to be entirely accurate. But Donatello appears to be a pleasant child. He seems a little reluctant to actually open up to anyone. When Donatello was eating breakfast, I noticed he messed around with his food more then he actually ate it. He also spent more time glancing over to the room he and Raphael were sharing more then focusing on us." Usagi reached down and plucked down and plucked up the chopstick that Don had been using, moving it around , "he had excellent etiquette, a little too perfect. He was too focused on using them correcting then actually eating. It gave me the feeling he's not used to eating around others. But when Raphael woke up Donatello relaxed, he even ate a bit more then he had earlier. Not that he still wasn't nervous, but it shows he feels more confident when in the presence of his brother." Usagi blinked, "I didn't mean-"

"I know." the whole thing was confusing enough, "But what do you think that means? What about Raph?"

"It means that more likely despite his experiences as a I-sha he has very limited social skills, but he's not as limited in the presence of Raphael. He's most likely to try and reach out to you if you reach out first, but you can't try to force it on him. But Raphael, " Usagi paused, reaching down and taking up the tea he had almost abandoned, "Raphael has his own confidence in himself. He might not care about manners as much, but he seemed to take notice of where he put his hands on the table. Its most likely something his mother got on him lot about which means she still has a influence on him. Even being this far away,"

"That's good for me, she's the one who wanted them to come.'

"But," of course, there had to be something, "When he woke up and joined us, the first thing he did was make his way over to Don's side. When he reached Donatello's' side and stroked his scalp, he pressed his thumb against his forehead, I think he was trying to his temperature without Donatello noticing.'

That made sense, but Leo was surprised he missed it, "And?"

"and even though he let Michelangelo drag him off, I have the feeling it was only because he doesn't see him as a threat. Where as he made sure to sit between the two of us and Don. Because, we ARE a threat."

"So.' Leo wet his lips, he never thought of himself as a threat. That would explain the lack of love he was getting. Not that he really expected anything at this point other then a sai through the face. Maybe that's why he couldn't' sleep last night, maybe in the back of his mind he expected Raph in his NightWatcher uniform to show up in his room and finish him off. Leo reached out and pressed his hand on Usagi's shoulder, "Thanks Ani."

Usagi gave him a smile before kneeling back down to finish his, by this point. Stone cold tea. Leo walked over to the door and slid it open. Even if it wasn't particularity good news, it was something he could use. He leaned out to see Raph heading back in, the dishes from their meal stacked in his hands with a gleam of water, even though his face was irritated slightly t the sight of him, "where do these go?"

"in the box by the kamado." Leo kept his face clear of a smile. Moving out of the way as Raph stomped back in, when he was past, Leo reached out and patted Raph on the shoulder, opening his moth to thank him-

Something slammed into his face and he found himself flat on the floor, vision spinning and pain exploding on the side of his face. His shaky hand reaching up and pressing against his face, what the hell just-

His vision cleared up and the first thing he saw was black hakamas, and Usagi's' back to him, in his hand his gripped a familiar black sheath and his other hand gripping the handle with a vibe Leo recognized. He had only seen it before when he came across Usagi standing over one of the Neko siblings with Mikey standing behind him. Later on he learned that the Neko had just shoved Mikey because he wouldn't help him get alcohol. Raph though, was standing with a sai in his fist, eyes wide as though he wasn't sure what had just happened. At least they had that in common. The dizziness from the blow came back over him and Leo had to close his eyes, rubbing them with his pointer finger and thumb. He heard the door slam and he felt a hand fall on his shoulder, 'Are you alright Leonardo?"

Leo nodded , pressing his hand over his face again, "his fists sure haven't soften since our first fight though."

(#)(#)(#)(#)

"Do you plan on doing anything about that incident Leonardo?"

"No." it was a simple truthful answer. But like was said six words ago, it was the truth, "I obviously startled him and he reacted, it was my fault. If it had been intentional then he would of said something, he wouldn't of reached for his sai AFTER he punched me." Leo glance over at Usagi, even though his brother crossed his arms and shook his head he gave Leo a sad smile, 'I thought I was the one who read people, Leonardo."

"I picked a few things up over the years . Now I would like to finish my challenge, " with that he raised his bow again, finger straight and level. He knew Usagi probably didn't approve of him forgiving Raphael so quickly. But he had to, he wanted to hate him, it was almost like instinct. Had it been anyone else he would the have. But this wasn't another person. And he knew Raphael, maybe a bit better then Raphael realized. But he knew how Raph was really like. Despite that wall that Raph built up around him and Don. One that he spent most of his time guard dogging around.

Arrow the snap of string .

He knew Raph's real face.

He used his finger tips to roll the arrow in his hand before releasing it again. Another hit. Another roll of dirt.

"Apparently Raphael is enjoying the show too."

Huh? Leo looked over to his other side, to the hill where a familiar figure leaned against tree. Yup, that was Raph. He was watching them, he didn't have that hateful look in his eyes that Leo had come accustomed to over the few weeks. But as though he was curious. But it was best not ot let Raph know he knew. He used his finger tips to roll the arrow in his hand before releasing it again. Another hit. Another roll of dirt. A quickly glanced show Raph smirking, as though impressed. Was he scouting Leo out? Usagi did say Raph saw him as a threat. No, he wouldn't be so obvious if he was scouting out.

Leo blinked again and grabbed another arrow. He heard a voice call out and looked over again to see Donnie running over ot him, a relieved tired look on his face. Raph's face relaxed too. There was Mikey running right after them. Another arrow released, another in the grip, he didn't' want Raph too think he was too obsessed with watching them. Now that Donnie was back at Raph's side he seemed a lot more comfortable with talking to Mikey. Probably because Raph wouldn't' let him drag Donnie off on his face a second time.

Snap, Arrow, position

Like he said to himself (actually, the fact he had been talking to himself so much lately was beginning to worry him. Maybe he needed his head checked). He knew Raph's real face

(#)(#)(#)(#)

Leo ran his hand over the fighting dummy, he couldn't' even remember asking Kaede if he could use it. She had just drug it out, handed him his swords and said 'let it out.' He had almost asked "let WHAT out?" but Kaede had a habit of hitting him upside the head, and he really didn't feel like getting hit again.

It was almost as if Kaede KNEW-

NO. Leo shook his head with a jerk. He hadn't said a word about the incident with Kojima to anyone. But she knew something. Leo had been surprised when she passed him and patted him on the shoulder. Almost motherly-

Leo pressed his hand against his sheathed swords handle. Their returned weight ceased the churning of his stomach but not the pounding of his chest. But that's not what mattered to him, he gripped the mannequin again, just a jab. That's all he needed. A jab. He Had to draw his sword. He had to prove to himself-

The sound of thick hacking filled the air, without realizing what he was doing, Leo set of into a full out run out the dojo. The room to Don and Raph room was in sight as he reached out and yanked it open when a hand grabbed the back of his kimono and yanked him back.

Not a second later Raphael barreled on by. Leo had thought that he had been the one who had yanked on him when he realized the grip on the scruff of his shirt hadn't let up. He turned and saw Kaede standing behind him, "What are-"

Kaede shook her head with a jerk and used the hand gripping his kimono to push him forward. With the shove, Leo could now see into the room. He could see Donnie on his knees, one hand over his mouth, the scrolls scattered on the floor from where Don had dropped them. Raph was at his side, one hand on his shell and one on his chest, gently moving him back and into a sitting position against the wall. When Raph reached around him, it was only then that Leo saw the two yunomi's by his legs, he had probably brought them with him when he heard Don coughing. He took up the closest one and pressed them into Don's hands. The smaller kame took a small sip before turning his head away and hacking again.

Leo's leg twitched as tried to move forward, he didn't know what he'd do but it would be SOMETHING- but the grip Kaede had on him was too strong. Instead all he could do was watched as Raph rubbed the back of Don's shoulders. Which seemed to stop the coughing long enough for Don to pinch his beak and down the rest of the medicine. When he was done, Donnie set the yunomi down and took a large breath. Leo could see the relief wash over Raph's face as he leaned forward and hugged Donnie tightly to him. The frown lines that seemed to constantly be present when Leo was around him were replaced with gentle relief. Don's small form shivering against him. Leo tried again to move forward and out of his hiding place when Kaede gripped his wrist , dam that old lady-OW! Judging by that smack upside the head, Kaede had the magical ability to read minds. Or she was just a REALLY good mother. Leo saw Raph pull away lightly and reach for one of the blankets Don had dropped and pull it wrapped it around him before reaching around again and picking up the second yunomi which caused Don's face (which had been resting against Raph's chest) to twist up lightly, "I-I already too-took my m-m-medicine-" his teeth shattering so hard he could barely get his words out.

"It's green tea Don," came he surprisingly soft voice. Leo was almost sure someone much smaller had crawled into Raph's mouth and was speaking for him. But it was illogical that anything could live in there (or live alongside the monster that already lived in Raph's mouth that was the cause of the loud ceiling shaking snores he had heard from Raph), "It'll warm you up and get the taste out of your mouth. BUT if you don't' want it-"

"I-I do please."

The face that Leo had almost killed smiled lightly as he put the yunomi in Don's hands. Leo could hear Don thank him quietly before drinking the tea slowly, probably to savor the taste. Raph shifted slightly moved his arms over the blankets he had wrapped around Donnie.

"Do you understand, gakusei?"

Understand? Leo looked over to Kaede, who had released her hold on Leos' arm and shirt. What was their to understand? That in the years they had been separated that Raph started acting like the older brother to Donnie Leo had needed him to be when they were children? That Raph had made it very clear he had nothing but hatred for Leo? Or that he would never have the CHANCE to show Donnie he could rely on him? He hoped his silence would give Kaede the answer she wanted, but judging by the way she shook her head, it wasn't , "Raphael has a lot of friends, I'm not sure how but he does. A few months ago, some of them came over to do stupid teenage boy stuff. Don had one of his fevers and was stuck sleeping in bed. Donatello had one of his coughing fits, one of the boys went to the door to see if he could help and had the unfortunate luck to get in Raphael's way. "

"what happened to him?"

"Same thing that would of happened to you if you had gotten in his way. He ran the poor boy over and broke his ribs and arm. Surprisingly they stayed friends, but as someone he doesn't like, you probably would of gotten worse injuries then someone he liked."

Leo shivered, realizing what she meant. She could of very easily just saved his life. But still, he looked back in there. The two brothers sitting together, HIS brothers, "A-are you saying I should just stay away?"

"no. I am saying that, what I am saying that your bushido teaches patience does it not? To know when to act and when to not?"

Leo nodded

"For the time being, you must take a step back. To show Raphael you can be trusted to not act."

Leo looked over to them again. He could faintly hear them talking. Well, Raph was talking as Donnie continued to lean against him with closed lulled eyes. Even now he had to fight the urge to approach, to feel Don's forehead and see what he could do to help.

And next time Kaede wasn't' going to be there to pull Leo out of the way of a rampaging Raph, "I=I don't know if I can-"

"Its not a 'if' situation. Either you step back or you'll risk loosing them forever. So I'll ask again ,do you understand?"

Leo looked back over, could he do that? Could he stay away when Donnie was coughing when, when his Otouto was a baby? it was what sent him running through the house to hold him till Splinter would approach with some remedy he had whipped up. Could he stay away when Raph was taking care of him? When, as a child, Raph would bring Mikey to him on his back when their baby brother had a splinter in his foot?

Could he stop himself from trying to be their big brother?

No. That was obvious. But could he take a step back? Until they reached out ot him for these things?

"Yes."

(#)(#)(#)(#)

Leos' fingers twitched around air, Hm? Leo snapped out of his mind and felt around in the quiver on his back till he felt the familiar wood of a arrow shaft. One left? He had gone through all his arrows so quickly? It worried him a bit he could shoot so many arrows without a thought . He could of hurt someone. Luckily that didn't seem to be the case. He pulled the arrow out and set it back into position. One space was left in the bag. He could hit it easily. One shot, that's all that was left. He pulled the arrow back a bit further, but the bag wavered in his vision. That was new. Blinked it away and tried again, the grass shift around the target, but there was no breeze.

He hissed angrily and realized his stature rubbing his eyes on the back of his hand. He could vaguely hear Usagi say his name. But Leo shook his head, hoping to give Usagi the message he was fine. HE closed his eyes to block out the nauseating swirling before drawing the arrow back again and opening his eyes. Lights bouncing around in his vision, the world tipping under his feet , his body slanting slightly. He released the arrow and covered his eyes with one hand, his balance sending him stumbling back as a arm wrapped around him, calling his name with franticness.

Then there was nothing.

a/n

translation

Yumi: Samurai bow and arrow

Okonawa: Done