Here's the next one!

Do you all know what 'word wars' are? Because they are awesome! They compel you to just write, put down the first thing you think of and edit it later. This is the product of one of said wars.

Heather had talked to Donnie via skype chat about how they can meet up. Splinter had set his terms. He doesn't want them at the Lair, they can't be above ground, they can't stay for more than an hour, and he stressed that Heather cannot be there. She understands all the terms. So she and Donnie plan to have Leo meet his brothers at an empty aqueduct in the sewers, about a few miles from the Lair.

It's easy to get to with instructions, so Leo won't get lost or need Heather to be with him. Heather would love to talk to the guys face to face, and also would want to go against Splinter, but in order for Leo to even be allowed near his brothers, she has to stay on the rat's good side. She just had one request; Splinter can't be there either.

Leo is excited by the time it becomes night. He hasn't been near his brothers for so long. But that drives his need to be by them so much more. Heather gets the keys and they jump in the truck. She drives to the closest manhole. Leo opens his door, but doesn't get out.

"Here Leo," Heather says, handing him a piece of paper, "These are the directions."

"I know where I'm going," he says.

"I'm just making sure you are safe," Heather assures. She feels his excitement, but also his apprehension. He's going into the sewer, alone. "I'll be here to pick up up."

"Thanks." Leo steps out and goes to the manhole cover. He lifts it up and looks down the hole. He climbs down the ladder, replacing the lid. Heather turns off the lights, getting out her book and small bookmark lamp. In the sewers, Leo turns on his flashlight. He looks at the directions. He's glad Heather wrote it down. He forgot the moment he saw the maze of tunnels.

He walks to his right. After three tunnels, he crosses the small stream in the center of the large tunnel and turns left. Then he looks down at the paper. He follows the list of directions, coming to a large opening. "When's he coming?" Leo hears Mikey ask. He tears up a little as his baby brother's voice echoes on the walls.

"He'll be here, shellhead. Just wait."

"Raph, you know Mikey can't sit for very long."

"Then why's he sittin'. Move if ya have to. Whining won't get Leo here any faster." Leo smiles and steps into the room.

"I'm here guys," he says. The three turn around. Donnie is the first turtle Leo looks at. He's grown taller, towering over the others. He still has a break in his teeth and his eyes are still brown. They have a hint of a red tinge to them. The mask must bring it out. Said mask is a royal purple, no doubt for the wisdom and intelligence it wraps. Donnie's plastron has a thick leather band across it. Also, there is a six foot staff sticking out from behind his shell. 'The perfect weapon for some who thinks too much.'

Mikey is next to him. His skin is still bright, same with his big eyes. He has still a bit of room to grow, with his cheek coming to Raph's shoulder. His belt is empty, but Leo can guess that he wants nunchucks since holders for them are at his waist. The blue of his eyes pop with the vibrant orange around them. He has a goofy smile on, his freckles still the dominant feature on his face.

The two brothers run at Leo. He only has enough time to open his arms before they barrel into them. Mikey hugs his waist and Donnie takes the shoulders. Leo hugs them back, awkwardly. But he doesn't care. He's physically next to his brothers.

"We missed you Leo!" Mikey says. Leo smiles and kisses his brother's head.

"I missed you too." Leo looks away from his youngest siblings and at Raph. Raph has his red mask around green eyes. His mouth is set in a firm line, his arms crossed in front of his plastron. He has his full effects on, like Leo, minus any extra clothes. Leo always wears some kind of bottoms now, but his brothers don't. Raph's sais are stored just behind his hips.

He's kinda short, true, but he makes up for it. His muscles are the main part of him that had grown from the last time he and Leo were in the same room. Without knowing how much Raph had had been taught in training, Leo is already sure that fighting him would be a tough battle. Mikey and Donnie break away finally and Leo walks over to his stubborn brother. The crack in his shell makes him look even more tough.

"Hey Raph," Leo says. Raph stares at him. It doesn't look like he's going to do anything. After a moment more of looking at his returning elder, Raph then offers his arm. Leo accepts it, grabbing his brothers elbow. Raph smirks at the strength he feels come from his brother.

"You're stronger," he comments.

"I'll take you on anytime, otōto," Leo teases. Raph smirks wider and hugs his brother with his other arm.

"Welcome back." Leo smiles. He's back. Back with his brothers, back in the city.

'Back near Splinter.' The thought bores into Leo's mind. He mentally shakes it away and asks, "So, tell me about sewer life." They all sit down and tell Leo about training and schooling and stuff like that. Mikey even mentions things they've talked about over Skype.

Leo hears about Raph's adventures. "One time Don came with ma topside," Raph says.

Leo looks at Donnie in surprise, "When?"

"..Last week."

"He saw a girl."

"Hey!" Donnie says, blushing. Leo takes it as a hint of something more.

"Donnie, what is it?"

"She.. was, kinda cute," the purple banded brother admits.

"Donnie's got a crush! Donnie's got a crush!" Mikey sings.

"Do you know her name?" Leo asks. Donnie hangs his head and shakes it. They talk more. Mikey persuades Leo into a game of 'ninja tag'. Raph and Leo even arm wrestle on a block of concrete. But sooner than they wished, Leo has to leave. They walk back with him until they come to a cross-tunnel. They each give him a hug, Raph offering his arm first again, and then exit down a separate tunnel. Leo follows the directions backwards and finds the manhole again. He shifts it over and climbs out.

"How did it go?" Heather asks as he gets in the truck. He clips his seat belt.

"I love them." He leans his head back and sighs.

I ADDED APRIL! YAY!

So, Mikey doesn't have weapons yet (they get them age twelve in the story, Raph is 13, Donnie is 12) But he'll get his chucks someday.

I am getting very close to the end. Can't you feel it?

Who thinks they are all in character? Who loves the interaction between Leo and Raph? Who do you think won the arm wrestle?