How did we grow so far apart?
How did we grow so far apart?
Maybe it's about time we focus on fixing these old wounds?
Raph POV
I climbed quickly up the ranks within the Foot Clan with ease, getting my rusty skills back in shape in no time.
No ninja could take me down and after a short time they started to respect me as one of them, then some mutant that long ago was the enemy.
I was a great asset to the Foot Clan and not once was I told otherwise.
I felt more at home than I have in years, wanted, not some washout to use as a sample of what a ninja isn't.
Donnie and Mikey didn't agree with my decision, of course, stating I was working for our families greatest adversaries and I have gone mad. But was I?
They might have been our enemies in the past, which only came to that for our father and The Shredders animosity towards each other, which actually caused this bullshit in the first place.
The Foot wasn't the same anymore, they had new priorities and ways that were beyond how the Shredder use to run this clan, though at the moment there was no new head yet.
The new Shredder was still to be announced when the time was right, until then things were being organized and new rules were being placed so past defeats and mistakes never reoccur with the new Shredder leading.
One night after my workout that I prefer to do in solitary, I was summoned to come to the meeting hall, the same one my brother killed the last Shredder.
I have to admit seeing the room in the same shape I last saw it, brought some creepy feelings inside back up, I mean I saw their old master slain in this room.
I was even a part of it, yet now I was the same as them… Funny how fate plays its cards huh?
Standing there near what I guess was the throne, why there was a throne there in the damn first place, I have no clue. Man I found it overly gody really… That's how much a pompous arse the old Shredder was, he probably saw himself as a king or a god?
Anyways, Karai was standing there with two Elite Foot soldiers by her side as the rest of the clan were either side of me, standing there all formal in rows.
Warily, I approached Karai unsure if I was to follow sample and stand with the other ninjas or not.
The thing is I had no clue what was going on, no one mention there was going to be a meeting or anything of the sorts to me.
Then out of nowhere just as I reach Karai she bowed low to me presenting me the helmet of the Shredder as I was filled with confusion.
"Raphael we ask of you to be our new Shredder and lead the Foot Clan to a new dawn," Karai said firmly.
Shock by her words, I back up looking around, waiting for someone to tell me this was some prank, which I knew was unlikely, "Wait? What… me…."
A small smirk claimed Karai's lips in amusement, that she tried not to let any other to see, "Yes, we would be honored that you become the next Shredder, please praise us by being our leader."
I could feel the tension in the room rising, all eyes were on me, they wanted me to lead them? Me? Why did they think I was worthy enough?
Taking a breath, I closed my eyes was this what I wanted? I wanted to change the Foot for the greater good, I knew deep down how that can be achieved. So do I have what it takes to do it?
Karai must have seen my doubts swirling inside me, as she nodded to one of the ninjas to hand me a wrapped gift?
Removing the blue material, I was stunned to see the one katana that belonged to my brother Leo…
There tied to it was a note, one that a feared to read, yet Karai gestured I did so.
(I'm sorry… I know we have grown so far apart and I was a lousy leader and brother to you Raphael. I should have never been given that position... You should have gotten it, no matter what the Master said about you it was all bullshit. You're a great fighter Raph and would make an amazing leader. I was told what Karai was going to do and I had to send this to you. I am proud of you Raph you are just what the Foot needs to turn that new leaf. You're going to be a better leader than me by far. Be honored to become the next Shredder and make that fool before you look like a dumb ass which I know you will do so well. I wish I was there to see this, I really do… But I'm lost right now and it's best I stay with the monks until I sort myself out again. I love you brother, always, through thick and thin.
~Leo~
P.S. I want you to have my other blade when you become the new Shredder and bring hope again to the city. I will hold onto the other half as my connection to you, I know it sounds corny. But one day I want us to be close again like when we were kids… I miss my little brother so much…
)
My hands trembled uncontrollably, as I fought back the tears knowing this wasn't the moment, I had to be strong, show them I was the right choice to be their leader.
Placing Leo's blade to my side with honor, I knelt down before Karai as she rose to her feet once more, placing the helmet over my head to signify I was the next Shredder to the clan.
The room that was shrouded in silence was shattered with cheers as the helmet went over my head.
Rising to my feet I turned to my new family.
For the first time in my life I felt so happy, I knew this was my destiny and I was going to prove to myself once and for all I can be a great leader just like my big brother.
Leo POV
The air was crisp and clear, while I laid there in the shade of a cherry tree watching the clouds go by merely with the cool morning breeze.
The sun was bright and the tree was the ideal place to rest, letting my tiresome muscles to get some well deserved relaxation.
Closing my eyes to soak in this glorious nature, something stirred to my right catching my attention.
Slowly I sat up from my laid back position, blinking wildly, not believing my eyes in seeing the turtle wearing human clothes with a sword attached to his side.
He grinned at me in amusement, flopping down beside me amazed at my expression on my face.
"So Leo I got your present," he humbly pointed to the sword, waiting for me to finally respond to him.
Chuckling to break myself out of my stun state, I shook my head at him, of course after this long, that would be the way he greets me after all these years we haven't seen each other, "Oh I see that, so you had to come all the way here to tell me?"
"Well…" Raph stretched, finding the spot quite relaxing as well, "I'm in Japan on a diplomatic mission for the Foot. To show how the New York branch is holding up and how our new changes are taking effect, in hopes to bring such changes to the other branches as well."
"Oh, so you did take the title, I'm happy for you," I leaned my shell against the tree, wondering if this was some dream, yet I knew I was fully awake.
"Not as much I am of you, this is a nice place bro, it suits you," Raph smiled brightly playing with a cherry petal that was on the ground.
"I'm not sure how long I will stay yet… I…." I stuttered to find the words that were buried deep inside, feeling the guilt wash over me once more for leaving him and the other two.
Suddenly, out of nowhere Raph placed his hand on my shoulder bringing me into a hug with no hesitation, like he would have done in the past, taking me by surprise.
In truth, he hasn't hugged me like that since we were small kids, I never thought he would even dare to do such a thing, especially to me.
"Take as long as you want. Your free Leo, you can make your own decisions. No one should tell you who you should be, do you hear me?"
Nodding my body eased up hugging back, feeling his warm body. How much I miss my brother. I didn't want to let go, fearing he would leave me once again.
"I do… Raph are you happy? Is this what you wanted, I didn't force the decision on you in my letter did I?"
Letting go Raph burst out into laughter, something I haven't heard in a long time as well, "Hell no. I made that decision on my own free will, but the letter gave me the confidence to do it. Thank you Leo and… Leo your not a lousy leader, you were the best and I hope I can match you one day."
I bit my lip, holding the tears back, "You already are…"
"Hey! If you two get any sappier you might… you know kiss! ewww…" I voice came to my right as I almost jumped out of my shell at seeing Mikey standing there beside Donnie.
Instantly as the insult came from the well known trickster, Raph jumped to his feet, "Mikey, I swear you little bastard, you promise to behave or I wasn't going to bring you on this trip!"
Like the old days, Mikey yelped playfully as Raph chased him, ending with Mikey in a head lock screaming uncle.
Donnie staying out of it like usual, walked up to me sighing under his breath, sitting beside me, placing his head on my shoulder, "Hi…"
"Hi Donnie, I'm sorry…"
Donnie shook his head, smiled at me brightly, "No need for that, I do understand now. I don't care anymore about what happened in the past between us all. I'm just happy to see you again and sort of Raph…"
"Yeah, I'm happy you're here too, so why are you here? Not that I'm complaining."
Twirling his fingers Donnie bit his lip, "I was offered a job as lead scientist for the Foot, so I took it."
"Really?" I questioned him, a bit surprised, I wasn't suspecting that one.
"Really. At first I was hesitant, but after much thought and Raph showing me how the Foot now runs I finally made the decision to take it. Raph wanted me to do it for I wasn't like most scientists, I had morals and he could trust me with the tech the Foot had under their control."
"Wow, that's amazing Donnie! So what about Mikey?"
"He is bumming off of Raph…" Donnie smiled devilishly as I looked at him sideways.
"He is what?" I trailed off not believing Mikey would be so lazy.
"Raph has a nice place on the surface and we now live there with him. We gave up the sewer life, I have my own lab and a nice room, it's amazing. It's way different than how we use to live all those years. As for Mikey, he isn't really bumming, he made the decision to become a comic artist with the help of Raph and the funds he gets. So Mikey can follow that dream of his. Raph was very supportive and told us both we should follow the path we want to walk, not what we were told."
Leaning back, I like the ring to that, so Raph has grown up so much, it was amazing in many ways.
Raph and Mikey finally done with the horse play, Donnie indicated to Mikey it was best to leave Raph and I alone.
Once again within the silence, Raph took out a shell cell handing it over to me, "Here take it. Donnie has improved it, to the point it will even work out here. We might be far apart, that doesn't mean we can't keep in touch, don't you agree?"
Taking the cell gladly I held onto it tightly, "That would be nice. So how long are you guys staying around?"
"For a couple days, is that okay?" Raph tilted his head at me.
"That would be great, let me show you where I stay for the night. It's not as fancy as what you have gotten accustomed to, but I like it simple."
Getting up to my feet, I cheerfully gave my hand to my younger brother.
Finally, after so many years of fighting and our hatred for each other, I felt that we were equals, whole even and true brothers once again.
Taking it, Raph followed me without hesitation smiling all the way.
We might live far apart, but we are closer than we have ever been. We finally realized we never lost each other, we have just forgotten how to be brothers… But that hard times is over, cast back in the depths of our past to be forgotten by us both. For now we both look forward with light hearts full of possibilities. We love each other for we are brothers and nothing can pull us apart.
FIN