Sorry for the long wait. I'd been working on Dear Raphael for a while! (Which I'm super proud of. Go check it out if you'd like!) So sorry again.
That's why you're getting this one-shot tonight. A sorry to keep you waiting peace offering.
Enjoy.
Leonardo sighed, pulling his hat down over his eyes and flipping up his coat collar. He looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was tailing him; the street was clear. Lampposts flickered dimly on both sides of him, and he turned his gaze back down to the road in front of him.
He padded along swiftly, not quite running but not quite walking either; he had places to be, places to go before his brothers realized he had snuck out. The tall trees from Central Park loomed over him, and he grunted as he flipped himself over the fence. Hey, it was after hours; it's not like he could just stroll on in!
The wind whistled, ruffling his coat and only succeeding in rustling the bushes. Leo ducked behind the bushes and peered over, making sure the patrolling security guards weren't around. Using his chance, he turned and bolted, running further and further into the park, flipping once or twice over park benches and trash cans. He was a turtle on a mission.
Finally, he approached his destination: a lone grave in a small clearing at the back of the park. Leaves were scattered over the grass, giving the grave a look proving it had been undisturbed; Leo breathed a sigh of relief at that.
Leo walked up to the grave with a sad smile on his face. "Master Splinter," he bowed at the crystallized cane in respect. "It's been a while; I'm sorry for not visiting you sooner." No answer.
"Do you know what today is?" Leo tilted his head slightly to the side. "Today is the seven year anniversary of your death." Leo stayed silent. Seven years ago today, his father and Sensei had gone to sleep and hadn't woken up the next morning. Donny said it was peaceful, and that he hadn't felt pain, and for that, Leo was grateful. He'd been angry for a long time after that. How DARE he desert them? How dare he leave them and make him the leader of the clan, at the ripe old age of 23!?
In the end it had been Mikey who'd confronted him about it. "Leo, it isn't his fault! You know he'd have wanted to stay if he could've! He knew it was his time, and now he's in a better place. And if you can't accept that, then you obviously didn't learn anything from him!"
Leo can still feel the sharp sting of Mikey's fist across his cheek.
It had taken a while, but Leo had eventually grown to accept the fact that yes, Master Splinter may be gone from this world, but he'd always be there, guiding and watching him. Leo had been planning on visiting the Ancient One to learn how to contact the spirit world through mediation to speak with him! "I'm not even sure if the others remember what today is," Leo admitted, sheepishly scratching at the back of his arm. "I know Mike knows, and my guess is that Don is aware, too. Raph, on the other hand, well, you know how he is." Leo rolled his eyes. "Ever the same."
The snap of a twig broke through the silence, and Leo twirled around, cape flapping dramatically. A few beams of light poked through the trees, and the turtle crouched down. "Hello?" A male voice whispered. "Is anybody there?" Leo could barely make out the light brown uniform and the clunky black shoes through the shadows. "Hello?"
Leo turned his head back towards the grave. Just like somebody to cut his visit short. "I'll be sure to visit again soon. Until next year, Master Splinter." He bowed his head once more and leapt across the clearing into the bushes.
"I still miss you."
I always imagined Leo as the one to sneak out for midnight visits and tributes to Master Splinter once he passed away. Just something the perfect eldest brother would do!
Remember, I really need some ideas! I have one I'm working on, but I'm sorta stuck for now. So please help a girl out, will ya?
Hope you weren't completely disappointed in this one like I was. I think I rushed it, but then again, these were supposed to be drabbles.
Anyhoo... Laterz!