Hi turtlecrazy714, thank you for the review and the comment about Leatherhead, I went ahead and added an explanation in this chapter. Please let me know if this helps.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Ch 39 Graduation and Realization

His eyes wandered over the scene in front of the abandon apartment building. A sense of déjà vu came over him as he watched Falco, Chaplin, Tiger Claw and the dozen or so Foot Clan soldiers forced into two waiting police transport vans. But unlike last time, the stretcher that followed now had a black body bag on it and this time, no one was going to tell him the body could not be found. His eyes followed the stretcher and watched as it was placed into the coroner's vehicle. He sighed heavily and slowly made his way down the steps and over to the Hamato car. All around him people were talking and lights were flashing, but once again, he neither heard nor saw any of it as his mind continued to play the events of the past few hours over and over again in his head while a few feet away, the Hamatos and their friends were discussing the events of the night.

"So what made you guys come over here in the first place?" Donnie asked Rockwell and Leatherhead while paramedics looked over their wounds.

"After Raphael called me the first time, I got to thinking that maybe Leonardo may have gone back to the high school to speak with his coach about what was happening to him." Rockwell told them. "When I was in school, I remember many of the athletes would go to their coaches to confide in them about their problems." He explained. "After I spoke with Raphael a second time, I decided I would go to the school myself to see if Leonardo was perhaps there, as well as say hi to professor Honeycutt, and that way I could save you the trouble if he was." Rockwell took a breath, "Zayton was with Leatherhead when I arrived and I explained what was happening so Leatherhead and I decided to come here to see if we could help."

Everyone nodded as Rockwell explained. "Well I'm just stoked you guys were here to help!" Mikey said excitedly. "The way we took the Foot Clan down,"

Casey laughed along with Mikey, "Yeah, and watching Splinter deal with the evil 'Cat-man-dude' over there!" they high-fived each other, "Totally epic!"

"I just wish I could have taken down Saki before he ran back into the room," Leatherhead muttered as a paramedic worked on his tail. "He was much stronger then I realized."

"It was because Victor used the enhancing drug on him to heal his body." Rockwell told them. "They thought the drug was perfected but the fight itself must have accelerated the drug being used up in his system and when Leonardo thrust the sword into him, he was weakened enough that he could not heal and his body gave into death."

"Makes sense I suppose," Donnie muttered, "It's almost like a person running on adrenaline." He stated, "Once Saki got involved in the fight, his heart rate, breathing and…"

"Guys," Raph nodded his head toward Leo who was standing by their car with a dazed expression on his face. "Enough of that talk." He took a breath and he and Splinter started walking toward the car.

Splinter walked up to Leo and placed a paw on the young turtle's shoulder. "The police would like you to come down tomorrow," He told him, "If you are feeling up to it."

Leo nodded as he opened the car door. "I'll speak with them after school tomorrow." He told him.

"Whoa Leo," Raph came up behind him; "You really want to go to school tomorrow?" He asked, "After everything that's happened today you want…"

"Yes Raph," Leo turned to him with narrowing eyes, "I have another final to take tomorrow morning so I will be going to school." He crossed his arms defiantly as though he was waiting for Raph to challenge him.

"If Leonardo wishes to go to school then he may do so," Splinter stated as the others came walking over to them.

After saying good bye to Rockwell and Leatherhead, Splinter opened the door to the back seat and climbed into the very back of the car along with Michelangelo. Leo got in the front passenger seat while Donnie and Casey sat in the middle seat. The ride home was filled with awkward silence as everyone either stared out their windows or fiddled with their weapons as Raph drove home. When Raph finally pulled into the driveway of their home, Casey immediately jumped out and went over to his bike.

"So I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow," He said with a wave and a slight shrug, "I guess."

"Yeah, sure Case." Raph responded as he followed the others into their home.

"If anyone's hungry," Mikey said as they walked into the kitchen, "There's pork chops in the oven." He pulled out the six pork chops he'd been making and looked down at them in disappointment. "Never mind," he said as he dumped the over dried meal into the garbage, "I vote for a pizza." He took out his cell and hit the number six button.

"None for me guys," Leo said as he slowly made his way up the stairs toward the bedrooms, "I'm just going to go to bed."

Raph watched Leo sadly walk away from them, he was just about to go after him when Splinter put a hand on his shoulder, "Let him come to you when he is ready Raphael," Splinter told him. Raph looked up at his Sensei and after a moment, hung his head in submission and reluctantly nodded in agreement.

The next day, Leo made his way downstairs with his backpack on. "No time for breakfast," he told Mikey as he walked quickly toward the door, "I'm late."

"But Leo!" Mikey called back, "I made pancakes!"

Raph stood up and ran after him. "Leo wait!" He said.

Leo turned and looked at Raph in annoyance. "What is it Raph?"

Raph looked at Leo tenderly, "I thought we were going to talk last night?"

Leo looked down in shame, "I just wasn't in the mood to talk Raph," He told him, "I needed…." He swallowed hard, "I need some time to myself," He placed a hand on Raph's face and stroked his cheek lightly, "I promise you, we will talk but not yet," He turned and started walking away, "Just give me time," He said as he walked toward the door, "Okay Raph?"

"Okay," Raph said as he went back to the table.

"Are you okay Raph?" Donnie asked as Raph took his seat.

"I'm fine, it's Leo I'm concerned about," Raph replied sadly, "I know I should wait for him to come and talk to me but I just wish he'd open up now."

"Don't rush him dude," Mikey told him, "Leo needs time to forgive himself for all that's happened."

Donnie and Raph looked at Mikey in bewilderment, "Forgive himself?" Donnie asked, "For what?"

"Yeah," Raph jumped in, "It's not like he did anything to be forgiven for."

"Think about all that he's gone through," Mikey said, "Leo feels responsible for all that's happened, His mother's death, his aunt's and now his father's." He waved his fork in the air. "Especially after finding out that his aunt was being blackmailed and his mom stayed with his father because she was becoming suspicious about everything that his dad was doing to him," Raph and Donnie looked at Mikey in awe, "He feels like his whole world is just falling apart around him and he can't protect anyone from all that's happened or will happen."

"That was very deep Mikey," Donnie said.

"And incredibly smart of you," Raph said.

Mikey shrugged, "I saw an episode of Dr. Phil that dealt with something similar." He told them as he placed his plate in the sink.

His brothers looked at each other and nodded, "Figures," They chorused and made their way to school.

Later that night, Raph decided it was time to speak with Leo whether he was in the mood to talk or not. He walked up to door of the guest room and knocked. "Come in Raph," Leo said from the other side.

Raph opened the door and walked in. Leo was sitting at the little table in front of the window staring forlornly out into the evening scene watching the people below making their way along the street. "How'd you know it was me?" Raph asked as he sat across from Leo.

Leo shrugged, "Had a hunch." He said as he continued to stare out the window.

"What do you see out there?" Raph asked hoping to get some kind of conversation going.

"People," Leo said simply.

Raph rolled his eyes and huffed in annoyance, "Anything particular about…."

"Why don't you just ask me what's on your mind Raph," Leo suggested getting slightly irritated.

Raph took Leo's hand and coaxed him away from the window and over to the bed. They sat down and Raph watched as Leo looked away from him, "Well?" Leo said with his eyes still averted.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing." Raph started, Leo looked at him and raised an eye ridge, "And I was hoping we could talk about everything that's been going on."

Leo shook his head, "I said I needed more time Raph."

"I'm not buying that Leo," Raph stated firmly, "Look, I'm sorry for not listening to you and trying to force you to see someone about those nightmares," He said, "I know I should have had more faith in you because you obviously had a better understanding about everything that was going on, but I just…" Raph took a breath, "I just wanted you to know that you weren't alone and I just kept feeling like you were pushing me away."

Leo nodded, "Maybe in a way I was," He said in a low voice.

"But why Leo?" Raph asked, "I love you and all I want to do is help you get through all this but if you're going to push me away or not talk to me, how can we work through these things?"

Leo stared into Raph's eyes as he attempted to think of some way of explaining to Raph what he knew needed to be explained. But he also knew, he wasn't quite ready to speak to him about it. But, he wondered, was ever going to be ready? "Raph," Leo began, "I want to work through things but I still need time to come to terms with everything that's happened to me." He put a hand on Raph's cheek, "I do love you and I would love to see where this love can go but…" He took a deep breath, "You just need to give me more time…..Please."

Raph brought his hand up to Leo's cheek and caressed him with his thumb, "I'll give you all the time you need babe."

Leo brought Raph into a hug and they laid down on the bed, Leo put his head on Raph's chest and wiped a tear, "Someone took my dad's body," He whispered.

Raph looked down at the top of Leo's head in bewilderment, "Any idea who."

Leo shook his head, "I spoke to the police today and all they could tell me is that at some time during the night the security cameras went down and his body was stolen but they have no idea who did it."

Raph leaned his cheek against Leo's head and sighed heavily as he felt Leo fall asleep.

xxxxxxxxx

Two and a half weeks later, Leo stood in a line with the rest of the seniors as the principal of Roosevelt high school called each of them up by name. He looked out over the audience and his eyes landed on Splinter who was seated next to Mr. O'Neil, Angel and Mr. Jones as they watched proudly each of their children accept their diplomas.

But even the proud look Splinter gave him after he received his diploma did nothing to lift the mood he'd been in for the last several months. His eyes continued to search the audience wishing one of those parents could've been his but he knew, no matter how much he wanted it to be just a dream, both his parents, as well as his aunt, were gone and there was no one there to tell him how proud they were of him. He smiled slightly and walked over to Splinter and the others with the rest of the teens.

Splinter looked down at him with a compassionate gaze and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I am sure, if your mother and aunt were here, they would let you know how very proud they are of you."

Leo wrapped his arms around Splinter's waist and nodded, "thank you Sensei," He told him as they pulled a part, "Thank you for everything."

Splinter looked deep into Leo's eyes, "There is still much you need to speak to Raphael about," He said as Leo's eyes flashed a look of surprise, "Do not wait till the last minute to let him know what he needs to know." He squeezed gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze and Leo smiled up at him.

"I will Sensei," Leo told him with a nod. "I promise." Splinter nodded then made his way over to the others. Leo looked around the large crowd and saw Raph speaking with Mona Lisa. He started toward them but was quickly intercepted by Karai.

"Hi Leo," She said with a gentle look.

Leo rubbed the back of his neck nervously and looked up into her eyes, "Hi….um…Karai," He said as his eyes shifted nervously from her to the others then back to her, "Congratulations on graduating,"

She smiled at his shyness then stuck her hand out at him, "Congratulations to you too Leo," She told said as they shook hands. "Look Leo, I just wanted to say sorry for the loss of your dad and your aunt," She told him. "I wanted to say something a while ago but there was a lot going on with me too," She looked away sadly.

"I understand Karai," He said, "And I'm sorry about what happened to Fong and the others."

Karai shrugged, "They got what they deserved." She told him. They said goodbye and she walked over to where her family was waiting for her.

'Guess no one will ever know the truth about what really happened,' He thought to himself as he made his way toward Raph and Mona. 'I suppose it's better that way, certainly don't need any more drama in my life.'

As he walked up to them, he overheard Mona speaking to Raph about their plans for the future, "Are you sure you are happy Raphael?" Mona asked him. Leo looked away for a moment as he saw Raph turn to look at him.

"I am Mona, very happy," He said confidently.

Mona looked over at Leo as K'Vathrak came up to her, "I am glad to hear that Raphael," She said as she took K'Vathrak's hand, "I want to let you know that K'Vathrak and I will be leaving for France this weekend and attending the University of Paris together." She said as she looked up K'Vathrak lovingly.

"Really," Raph said as he took Leo's hand. "That's great Mona," He told her excitedly. "I wish you both all the best." The four shook hands and the two turtles watched as the two Salamandrians walked away from them in a loving embrace. "I hope we'll be as happy as they are," Raph muttered as he turned to Leo. Leo once again looked away from him as his eyes filled with shame.

"Leo," Raph made Leo turn to him, "What aren't you telling me?" Leo took a breath and looked into Raph's eyes, "Please Leo, for the past several days it's been clear you've wanted to say something so whatever it is, please tell me."

Leo took Raph's hands, "Raph, I…."

"Hey, hey bros!" Mikey yelled out as he ran over to them and put an arm around their shoulders. "Come on, we're going back home where we are going to PAAAARRRRRTEEEE!" "Raph and Leo both winced as Mikey's loud voice rang in their ears. "Come on guys!"

"Let's talk at home," Leo said as they turned to follow the others.

Back at the Hamato house, Raph watched as everyone laughed, hugged and toasted each other for a bright future. His eyes followed Leo as he mingled with the others laughing and supposedly having a good time.

He was currently listening to Raph's brothers who were discussing their future plans, "I got my internship with TCRI!" Donnie said with a wide smile, "I'll be replacing Chaplin and working closely with Dr. Rockwell."

"That's great Donnie," Angel said as she gave him an exuberant hug, "After I graduate next year, I'll be going to nursing school right here in New York City, we can see each other whenever we want!" Leo smiled as he watched Donnie blush a bright red.

"Well, I sent my idea in to the local channel six station and they loved my idea for a 'Cowabunga Carl' character!" Mikey said excitedly, "I'll be working on their children's show starting in July!"

"What about you Renet?" Leo asked.

"I've been working at my Uncle's jewelry shop," She told him proudly, "I'll be working there during the day as his apprentice and going to school at night taking business classes, I'm going to be taking over for him when he retires."

"Hey," Casey and April came over, "With everything that's been happening, I never got to tell you my news,"

"Don't you mean our news Casey?" April said with a secretive smile.

"What is it Ape?" Raph asked walking over to the group.

""Well," April looked at Casey proudly, "Casey and I talked it over and we decided..."

"And we have Leo to thank for this," Casey jumped in.

"We are both going out to California and Casey will be joining the police academy..." April smiled widely

"While April is attending UCLA," Casey ended as he wrapped his arm around April. He then turned to her and started to pull out a small box from his pocket, "And I have something to start us off with April," he said rather nervously.

Everyone watched in anticipation as Casey got down on one knee and brought the box up to her while opening the lid. April started jumping up and down and nodding excitedly as Casey took a deep breath, "April, will you marry me?"

"Oh yes Casey I will!" She yelled as he stood up. She jumped into his arms and the two kissed deeply. Everyone congratulated them as Casey slipped the ring on her finger.

Raph watched Leo walk over to the happy couple and shake Casey hand then give April a hug. He then watched in bewilderment as Leo walked silently away from the group and into the kitchen. Thinking Leo was going to get some food, he hung out with the others, waiting for Leo to get back, but twenty minutes went by and when Leo still had not returned, Raph decided to see if Leo was okay. He walked into the kitchen and then into the pantry but there was no sign of the elusive blue-eyed turtle. Raph narrowed his eyes and decided to check in Leo's bedroom.

As he was about to knock, the door opened and Raph stared directly into Leo's surprised eyes. "Hey, I was starting to get worried," He told him, "Is everything okay?" As he spoke his eyes wandered down to Leo's hand and he took notice of the suitcase Leo was holding. He narrowed his eyes, "What's with the suitcase?"

"Raph," Leo began, "Please don't get upset but I…." He took a breath, "I've been wanting to tell you for a while but….well," Raph watched Leo as he walked around him. "I'm leaving."

Raph looked at Leo in shock, "What do you mean you're leaving!" He yelled. "And why now!" He backed away from Leo as Leo walked out of the room. "So what? You're running away!"

"Stop yelling and no I'm not running away!" Leo yelled back.

"Well what do you call this!" Raph demanded waving at Leo's suitcase. "If you're not running away, then what are you doing!?"

Leo stopped and turned to Raph with tears glistening in his eyes, "Splinter told me I need to grieve, not just for my aunt but for my father too," He said, "and you told me I needed to speak with someone," Raph calmed down and nodded as he listened to Leo while the two made their way to the kitchen. "After everything that's happened, I decided you were both right and I did need to speak with someone but the person I need to go to isn't here."

Raph shrugged, "Well where is he?"

"She is….well… she really isn't anywhere Raph," Leo said hesitantly, "But where I left her is in California, and I desperately need to get away and take some time to figure everything out."

"Wait," Raph looked at Leo with dawning eyes, "You're going to California and just leaving me behind?" Raph was absolutely appalled by Leo's sudden announcement. "How could you do this Leo, and to do it now?!" He pointed to the kitchen door, "With everyone here you're just going to walk out on us!"

"Raph, please try and understand, I…I just need to get away for a while and try to find myself."

"Why can't you find yourself here Leo?!" Raph demanded. "Why can't you let me help you?"

"Because I almost got you killed!" Leo yelled back, "And because I don't know who I am, I don't know what I am and I don't know what I'm supposed to do!"

Raph stepped back and watched as Leo wiped his face of the tears, "So that's it huh?" Raph whispered, "You're just going to call it quits and not think twice about us?" He pounded his fist on the table, "You could have at least warned me that you were breaking up with me!"

"I'm not breaking up with you," Leo insisted, "I just…."

"You're leaving me behind Leo," Raph stated in a loud voice, "That to me is breaking up!"

The loud voices coming from the kitchen had everyone in the living room looking over at the door and listening intently to the two turtles.

"I just have to go away for a while," Leo said just as loudly, "I will come back Raph, I promise!"

The group stepped back as the two turtles walked out the door and headed toward the dojo and out to the parking lot. "You can't just leave me like this Leo!"

"Why can't you just understand, it's something I need to do!"

"Because I was going to give you something and…." Leo stopped and looked at Raph as he took a deep breath and attempted to calm his pounding heart, he pulled out a small box wrapped in red with a blue bow, "I got the idea from Casey but I was going to wait till after everyone went home," he told him as he handed Leo the box.

Everyone stepped outside and watched as Leo looked down at the box in surprise. He unwrapped the box and pulled out a gold ring with a deep blue sapphire in the middle and red stones surrounding it. As Leo stared at the ring, tears began to fall down his face and he brought the ring up to his chest clutching it tightly. "You don't know how much I want to say yes Raph," he told him as his eyes landed on the group behind them. He took Raph's hand and placed the ring in his palm, "When I return, if you still feel the same way," Leo took a deep breath as a taxicab pulled up alongside the curb, "I'll be proud to wear your ring and walk down the aisle with you."

Raph blinked his eyes rapidly as his own tears began to flow, "Leo," he said as he held Leo's hand, "Please don't go, don't leave me like this, I love you."

Leo nodded then pressed his lips to Raph's as their tears flowed freely. "I love you too," Leo whispered as he pulled away. "I promise you Raph," He said as he started toward the cab, "I will be back."

Everyone watched in disbelief as Leo, with his suitcase in hand, walked to the taxi and opened the door, he looked at his friends and tearfully waved his hand, "Thank you everyone," He took a deep shuddering breath, "I'll miss you all."

"Leo wait!" Mikey ran over to him, "Why are you leaving us?" He asked timidly. "Don't you want to be here anymore."

Leo smiled down at Mikey and brought him into a hug, "Promise you'll take care of Raph for me, okay?"

"But Leo," Mikey started but Leo only shook his head. "Bye Mikey," He said as he got into the taxi.

The group watched as the taxi cab started to pull away, "Damn you Leo!" Raph yelled, "Damn you to hell!" He turned and angrily went back into the dojo with the others following behind him while Mikey stood on the sidewalk and watched the cab disappear around the bend.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I know everyone will hate me if I ended the story here so don't worry, there is an epilogue coming up. Please R&R, Peace :)