So sorry. I wanted this up two days ago, but that's kinda hard to do when your internet connection kicks out on you. But I will hopefully I will be able to have the next chapter up tonight as well to make up for it. It's all written, just needs to be typed up. It looks like the next will be the final chapter, but depending on the length it might be split into two. I'm not sure yet. But enjoy this one. And please review. : )

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 31

Leo walked stubbornly through the sewer tunnels. How dare Raph try and get into his head like he actually cared. He scoffed. He didn't believe Raph really cared that something big was really bugging him. He balled up his left fist and slammed it into the sewer wall as he walked. Pain reverberated up his hurt arm from the hit. His right hand came up and gripped his left arm. He slowed a little and calmed his breathing. This wasn't like him. He wasn't supposed to be carried away by his anger. He stopped walking and waited for his throbbing arm to stop hurting. He looked up at the tunnel's ceiling. "Why won't Raph just leave me alone?"

"Because you need a reality check."

Leo scowled at himself. "I don't think so."

"You don't?"

"No."

"Then what are you doing out here?"

Leo's eyes narrowed into slits at the voice in his head. "Nothing."

"Sure looks like nothing."

"Now you sound like Raph."

"See? You are a lot like your brother. Don't you think?"

Leo was silent for a minute. He continued walking, his head down. "Maybe."

"No maybe about it Fearless failure."

Leo growled. "Don't call me that!"

"But you have failed."

"I don't need you rubbing it in my face!"

"You're right. You don't. You do that to yourself. Just like right now."

"Stop! Just stop!" Leo tried ignoring the voice in his head and began running through the sewers. He hated talking to himself, but who else could he talk to? No one else understood. Even if he told them or not. He ran down many tunnels for what seemed like hours. He didn't know how much time had passed when he finally stopped running, bending over to catch his breath. He stayed like that for a few minutes before straightening once again, beginning to walk slowly. Low voices reached his ears after a few more feet.

"Come on. We're going to be late. Most of the other ninja are there by now."

"Like they'll miss two ninja."

"Yeah they will," the first argued.

Leo crept up to a corner in the tunnel and peeked around seeing two ninja walking away from him. What were they doing down here?

The second scoffed.

"It'll be our deaths if we're late."

"We won't be so late. The master's still punishing Keith by now."

"Yeah, too bad he failed the mission."

"He's gonna wish he died."

The first nodded to his partner. "And the master's not done with him yet."

"Just glad I don't have to lead missions. I hate the punishments the master gives out."

"Me too. Come on, let's go."

The two ninjas ran off down the tunnel, completely unaware of the ninja turtle behind them.

Leo just watched them run off. He was too spent to chase after them. At least he didn't have to fight them either. He wondered what they were up to know. But it was good to know that Keith would be out of the way for a good while. The only good thing that came about from what had happened. Leo sighed and turned around, going back the way he had come. It had to have been a few hours and he shouldn't be pushing himself too hard. He really should be getting back home. He was just glad he wasn't talking to himself again on the way home. He didn't want to think about anything anymore. When he got back a couple hours later the whole place was quiet and dark. Not wanting to wake anyone up, especially Raph since he had yelled at him not meaning to, he tiptoed through their new home and closed his room door softly behind him.

"Anything happen out there?"

Leo nearly jumped out of his shell hearing the gruff voice in the darkness. He quickly calmed his racing heart and continued on to the blanket that lay on the floor. They didn't have much for beds yet, but at least they each had a blanket. He wrapped the blanket around himself and sat leaning against the far corner of his room. "Saw two ninjas."

"And you fought them?" Raph stood in front of Leo, his arms crossed. One eyeridge was raised as if he thought Leo was nuts going out there.

"I'm not stupid Raph."

Raph sighed. He was silent for a couple minutes. His arms fell to his sides, the annoyed look wiped from his face. "Yeah, I know. That's my department."

Leo almost smiled, but it never reached his face. "I heard them talking about Keith. They said, 'The master's still punishing Keith by now'."

Raph growled. "So Shredder's still alive."

"Apparently."

"Well, we'll get him Leo. I promise." Raph's eyes hardened just a little before his usual smirk returned.

Leo barely nodded. He was exhausted beyond what he thought he had been. "April and Casey still here?"

"No. They went home a couple hours ago. Why? Ya need something?"

Leo shook his head. He was just curious. His eyes drooped halfway closed, his head lowering slightly to his chest as a yawn escaped him. He heard a sigh and felt himself being laid down flat on the ground as he drifted off. Maybe Raph did care. But Leo still didn't feel like trusting him with his most troubling thought at the moment. He just couldn't. Raph would be disgusted with him. He knew it.

--------

Splinter watched Leonardo over the next week as the days slowly slipped by. He didn't see much of a change in Leo. There wasn't as much anger, but there was no doubt about what Leo did feel. The blue banded turtle was depressed and hiding out in his room to avoid talking to anyone. He himself stayed out in the main part of the new lair to keep an eye on all of them and to not move too much to let his leg heal. It didn't bother him much, but it was starting to get very itchy. He was glad to see the wounds of the others were getting better as well. Don and Raph's burns were slowly fading, allowing the two more pain free movement. Raph refused to let Don do much with the cut in his side, but Don was still healing well according his his words. Mikey complained about his broken arm and Raph was quick to shut him up about it. Splinter nearly chuckled. At least his son's arm was healing. Rai seemed to be back in top condition now, his throat being once again normal. And Leo... his bruises from the fight looked mostly gone. The fever and infection never returned and he had his strength once again. His arm was still bandaged, but not so much in danger of the cut breaking open again. By the way Splinter's eldest son spent most of his time sulking in his room, he had no doubt Leo's arm would heal without being injured again. But Splinter was worried. He had expected his son to sneak off to train on his own despite Don's orders not to, but Leo didn't. He just hid in his room barely ever coming out. Splinter sighed to himself. He had to talk to his son today. Whether he listened or not. He had to try.

Dinner that day went smoothly. Raph went out to fetch pizza and it was dug into once they got back. Mikey even got Leo to join them out in the main room, but as usual Leo said nothing the whole time. He would just stare off at nothing, ignoring everyone unless directly spoken to, and sneaking away when he could. After dinner, Splinter knew without a doubt he had to try to reach his eldest son. Seeing that the others were preoccupied, he walked up to Leonardo's room and knocked softly. A barely audible 'come in' was heard. Pushing the door open, Splinter entered and looked about his son's dimly lit room. One candle burned in the far corner beside Leonardo. He crossed the room and sat in front of Leo. His son did not look up or acknowledge his presence. He merely sat there staring at the floor. Splinter sighed inwardly, not sure he was prepared for everything he knew Leo might say. "You're behavior is... troubling."

Leo barely nodded. He seemed to not be paying full attention.

"Is there something wrong?" Splinter tried again.

Leo's gaze slowly came up to meet his sensei's, shocking Splinter with their hollow stare. "Yes," he said faintly.

Splinter was shocked to hear Leonardo admit that so easily and almost stuttered in his response back. "You agree..."

Leo just gave another slight nod.

"What is it then my son? What troubles you so?"

The turtle shook his head. "Can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Just can't."

Splinter was puzzled at this. He sighed and thought back at Raphael's words a week ago. How the red banded turtle believed the problem was Leo and failure again. He knew this was probably it as well. "You have not failed us Leonardo."

Leo cocked his head. "Haven't I?"

"No. You have not."

Leo seemed to mull this over. He shook his head again. "That can't be true."

Splinter sighed. This was going in circles. Maybe if he was more direct, he could get his answers and help his son. "Why do you think you have failed us?"

Leo's eyes narrowed, a spark of anger flashed, his whole posture stiffened. "I trusted him," he said darkly.

"Who?"

"Keith."

Splinter nodded slowly, understanding the underlying problem. Leo had let their adversary in by trusting him, thereby letting the enemy at his family. "Leonardo, trusting is something that is earned. It is not forged in a couple hours. You believed Keith had told the truth. That he had gotten in too far with the Purple Dragons. His story checked out followed by a clash with the Dragons that confirmed it. Even I could not foresee this outcome. You must not blame yourself."

"But sensei, I should have known. I should have seen through his charade. Even Raph saw through it," Leo threw back. He crossed his arms awaiting his sensei's answer to that.

Splinter shook his head. "It takes months or longer for your brother to trust almost anyone. That was his anger speaking. Nothing more."

Leo sighed and looked back down defeated. "But I put you all in danger. It's my job to protect the family. I'm the leader. I should have known."

Splinter's heart ached at Leo's words. His son had chosen to carry so much of a burden. And it is and would hurt him so much. "Leonardo."

"No sensei."

"Yes my son. You must listen to my words or this will tear you apart." Splinter stood, taking one last look at his son. "I still love and trust you my son. We don't blame you or think you have failed us." He turned and left Leo's room, closing the door behind him. He looked up to see the others staring at him. Splinter shook his head sadly and headed to his own room. He heard a snort as the others shuffled around. He hoped he had gotten through to Leonardo. Otherwise he didn't know what would.