The Perfect Son

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.

Chapter Eight- Are you my brother?

DONATELLO:

I was deeply concerned when Raph and Mike had not returned to the lair at an appropriate time, patrols now were short and usually fairly close to home, and even worse I hadn't received a call from either of them.

At first I fought down my discomfort, and tried to tell myself there was a reason for their absence, that they would call soon. I considered other possibilities and then, when I could not ease my trepidation, I decided to go look for them.

I however, was not about to go out alone. I was about to contact April and Casey, though normally I didn't care for the way Casey handled things, when Raph came home, there was a frantic air about him and Mike's absence only caused me to be deeply afraid.

All kinds of scenarios raced through my mind, and I didn't care for a single one of them. No, not Mike gone too!

Raph's hurried confirmation that Mike was all right, held little comfort or reassurance. But his next words threw me for a loop.

He found Leo! ALIVE! Leo was alive?

I tried to get my mind around him, then he asked me to come with him. Like I was going stay here? Not a chance!

As I followed Raph through the sewers and topside he began to explain about how badly Leo had been hurt and how he had amnesia, or something similar- and how so far Leo had not responded to anything he'd been told.

"I'm hopin' the katana will help him" He concluded.

"It's worth a shot" I agreed. It made sense, Leo cared for his weapons -he trained diligently with them, kept them sharpened and polished so that the blade would give the efficiency he desired in battle.

We entered the apartment, and I swallowed hard on seeing him for the first time. I shook my head a little, unable to believe my eyes at first. Feeling that maybe, (in spite of what Raph had told me), my senses were deceiving me.

I was speechless, I who could give articulate and long winded explanations on just about anything, was totally unable, to describe what I was feeling on seeing my brother alive.

Leo looked my way, and I saw no recognition in his eyes. "So, this I take it, is the other brother?" He asked, his tone calm and controlled as ever.

Raph answered him and went to hand over the katana.

Leo refused, and rejected the weapons and us in an instant. It was like a slap to the face, our own brother denying us.

No wonder Raph wasn't amused by it but unlike my hot headed brother I could see that it wasn't Leo's fault, he was by no means doing it purposely. Leo, couldn't stop to think how his words would effect us. Physically, he was well, mentally Leo was still ill and we would have to help him through it.

We owed it to Leo, and in many ways he owed it to us -even if he didn't know it- but he was our brother and we couldn't leave him like this, and we couldn't really give him a choice where this was concerned.

As we headed home Raph turned and snapped, "Donny find out what evah ya can about this amnesia bit."

Mike quickly piped up "In movies and things they say you can get a person's memory back by giving them another hit on the head," He said trying his best to be helpful.

"Oooooh don't tempt me Mikey." Raph muttered under his breath.

" I don't think hitting him on the head will really help matters. Besides we might do far more damage that way, and Raph I all ready intended to see what I could find," I informed him.

Over the next few days I searched frantically for any thing that might help Leo, on the internet through medical books I had borrowed from the library, and of course we would go and visit with Leo.

Raph pretty much left me alone to do my research only asking on occasion if I had found anything useful yet.

One night when we went for a visit I noticed that Leo, seemed to have a sense of humour that better matched Mike's. Of course Mike enjoyed the fact that Leo now loved to tell jokes or showed a bit of wit. If anything Leo, and Mike got along incredibly well, as if their love of jokes now had them bonding in a whole new way. They traded jokes and matched wits sparring with words instead of weapons.

Raph practically had to grit his teeth during these visits. If Leo had been quick to push Raph's buttons before, with lectures of responsibility and behaving more appropriately then he did it even more now, that he showed he was far more relaxed and jovial.

I didn't think Leo did it intentionally, he couldn't help the fact that he didn't know how he had once acted and he was trying to figure out who he was. If he could remember any of his old lessons perhaps some meditation would help.

However, Raph would growl angrily at Leo's comments and more often then not, Mike or myself would have to grab onto Raph and hold him back before he could hurt our brother, or trashing Christine's apartment. Getting angry and yelling at Leo might be a great way for Raph to vent but I knew it would do nothing to assist Leo.

Raph figured we had nothing to do "Let me kill him, he might remember that," he'd snarl on the way home.

"I don't think that will help him recall anything even if you and Leo have had some good battles in the past."

One evening when we were over visiting Leo, Raph raised his head and glared at him through narrowed eyes, "do you know what your problem is Leo?" he demanded sharply.

"You mean I have a problem other then you?" an incredulous Leo shot back quickly.

Mike slapped a hand on his leg and laughed, "Good one Leo."

"Right now I'm not your worst problem…"

"You couldn't prove that by me," Leo quipped, a grin flashed across his face, "but I suppose you are still going to tell me whether I want to hear it or not, so why don't you enlighten me and tell me what you think, my problem is."

His tone remained light, full of laughter and there was no denying the fact he was enjoying this by the merriment that shone in his eyes. It was as if he was purposely trying to goad Raph.

Then again it could be a self defence mechanism that Leo had opted to use after the many times Raph had practically insisted that he join us back at home -where you belong- or his constant 'Have ya membered anything, Leo?"

"Your problem Leo is you're not taking any responsibility here," Raph informed him in a strong authoritive tone, he rose to his feet, "You are sitting back cracking jokes not even considering the possibilities of danger that you could be facin' while you're here. Why, don't you know the numbah of people who could spot you here?"

Raph went over to stand near Leo, there was a strange gleam in his eyes one that clearly said if I can't beat you up, then I can give you pay back in a totally different form.

Next thing I know I'm hearing the same lecture that Leo had given Raph who knows how many times, throwing Leo's very own words back at him, and there was no doubt Raph was enjoying every second of it. He paced and ranted and played the part so well, that I had to blink and shake my head.

Mike was laughing so hard, I was sure he was going fall off the chair he was sitting in, and even I couldn't resist the irony of the strange situation that was playing out before us, not to mention that Mike's laugh was infectious.

Leo however just glanced from Raph, to Mike and I a look of bafflement on his face, his face scrunched up in puzzlement, not quite sure what was so humorous about this. Of course, Mike and I were laughing much too hard to clue him in.

Leo raised one eye ridge, knowing somehow the joke was on him but not understanding what the joke was. He then turned his calm unflappable stare on Raph who was slowly winding down with his lecture.

Mike was had one hand on his side, and the other was raised so he could wipe a few tears from his eyes, gasping for breath and every once in a while breaking out in a fresh round of snickers.

I myself was taking deep breaths doing my best to calm myself, and I couldn't recall when the last time was that I had laughed so hard.

Leo once again looked our way, "I hope someone will let me in on what is going on here…"

Mike blurted out, "Oh gods Leo…"

"Mike NO!" Raph snapped sharply, "When and if our brother ever gets around to remembering who he is, he may see the humour in it for himself. Otherwise forget it!" Raph instructed making a final slash with his hand to one side.

"But Raph…"

"No!" Raph ordered turning a hard glare on Mike.

Leo nodded as if he understood, "Ah, a family joke then. However, I don't see what is so responsible about fighting. A responsible person would avoid problems and trouble, not go looking for it or place themselves into danger. That is exactly what I intend to do, avoid trouble, and fights." He declared.

Raph whirled, he shook his head, "What the hell happened to you? You were never a coward. Our fearless leader has really changed."

"Maybe I was never your leader to begin with. All the time you keep coming over here, trying to remind me about who I am and yet, I still know nothing about you to verify those stories."

"Maybe if you came home Leo, you'd find something' at spark that memory," Raph challenged.

"If you can't give me answers here, what makes you think that I could find them in the damp, crowded sewer pipes? I doubt it would do for me what you believe it will. Face it I'm not who you want me to be, and maybe I never was," Leo shot back.

"You are, Leo our brother we don't doubt that even if you do," I soothed. "At home we have things that stir more of your memories and open doors. Your bedroom, everything down there is what you have lived with and around for many years."

I had to point that out to Leo, because I heard the conviction in his words and I had to wonder if he kept fighting us this much, if he was denying any memory he might eventually have on us. Or, had he had some glimmer only to shut the door on it, instead of embracing it.

Raph gave an abrupt nod of his head, "Maybe your right Leo," He snarled before he turned and left the apartment.

It seemed Leo could still do it to him.

TBC