Chapter five:

Leo is sitting on the living room floor while he listens to the news. He thinks that it might be the main thing that he can just listen to right now. He does find it a little boring though. He turns as he hears footsteps coming over.

"Hey." Raphs voice is heard to which Leo gives a 'Hey' back. He is heard sitting next to Leo. "How are you doing?" He inquires and grumbles to himself about the news being on.

"Bored." Leo admits with a sigh which must have gained Raphs attention as he can be heard shifting.

"Well no duh you're bored. You're listening to the news." Raph snorts before he is heard looking around. "Where's the remote? We can change it to something better."

"Is there a point?" Leo questions and he feels Raphs eyes on him. "I can't see it so it probably won't make a difference."

There is a silence that hangs between the two of them for a long moment.

Leo wonders if Raph doesn't know what to say to that. He finds the silence grows as Raph must have found the remote since the TV is shut off. He turns away not that it matters where he looks.

"Are you happy here anymore?" Raphs almost hesitant questions catches Leo off guard.

Leo turns in the direction that he hears Raphs voice. "What?"

"Well I mean a lot has changed. You're trapped in the lair and you can't go out because it's too dangerous for you. Are you happy being here? And don't tell me that it's because it's where family is. I want to know the truth. What you actually feel." Raph waits after his explanation which Leo slightly thinks on.

"Well I guess since you won't accept that it's because family is here. Then well I am very conflicted about everything. I mean there isn't much for me to do anymore around here. And I can't even help you guys out there anymore. I'd just get in the way."

Raph makes a thoughtful noise. "Would you be happier somewhere that you'd be more free to go around?" He brings Leo's attention back to him with his words. "Somewhere that there wouldn't be the worry about enemies going after you if you went out of the lair?"

Leo isn't sure what to say for a moment before he does find a respond. "I suppose it would be nicer than being stuck in the lair. Being able to do more on my own would be nice." He admits and speaks again before Raph can continue. "What's been going on in your mind?"

"Honestly? I have been thinking about your new circumstances really. How it isn't right that you're forced to stay in the lair. Just because of your injury that you got." Raph continues after a brief pause as Leo slightly raises a hand to hover by where he thinks his face is for a moment before lowering it. "Trying to figure out what can be done about it. You don't deserve to be just stuck around the lair with nothing to do."

"Well I appreciate your thoughtfulness. However if there is such a place where I can be more free, then how would I even survive on my own out there? I couldn't even cook when I had my vision. Donnie banned from even looking at the toaster." Leo's comment makes Raph chuckle a little at the reminder. "So I wouldn't even be able to really get by on my own."

"What if you weren't alone?" Raph inquires and Leo wonders if the other has more of a plan than he thought. "I could come with you."

"What? Raph they need you." Leo reminds him. "You're needed to become the leader because I can't anymore."

"I never actually wanted to be leader!" Raphs sudden snap makes the two of them fall into silence. He lets out a breath before speaking again. "I only did what a good second in command would do. Keep you on your toes and make sure the decisions you made were the right ones. That you were sure about things. However I never actually wanted the leader role."

"Oh." Leo really didn't see that coming. "Well second in command role responsibilities accomplished. You really kept me on my toes and made me sure that I was right in my decisions. So... What are you going to do from here?"

"Still planning. Though I was thinking of getting you out of here. Maybe to somewhere more free. Just haven't really figured out where yet." Raph lets out a thoughtful sound, and Leo swears he can hear the other tapping his chin. He gasps suddenly making Leo jump. "I think I know where we can go!"

"Where?"

"The only place where we've truly been free! The farmhouse!" Raph points out to Leo who does suppose that it does fit in the wants that Raph wants for them.

Leo actually finds himself liking the idea, knowing that he wouldn't be as restricted as he is here. "Before we even make that idea official we should figure things out here. Make sure that the others will be alright on their own."

"I suppose you're right." Raph sighs and is heard slumping back.

"Meeting in the dojo!" Splinter's call startles the two turtles who turn in the direction of his voice.

Leo fells Raph look to him and he does his best to return the look.

The two get to their feet and Raph leads Leo to the dojo. They settle on the mats then wait until they hear the others joining them.

Splinter clears his throat as he stands before them. "Thank you for meeting me here." He begins and Leo can feel his gaze on him briefly. "There is a pressing matter that I have needed some time to think on. However now I believe that I am ready to present my pick. The one who will handle Leonardo's role as the leader on missions and patrols."

"Is it Raph? I mean he is basically Leos second in command." Mikey quickly quiets down as he probably gets a look from Splinter.

"Allow me to finish Michelangelo." Splinter gives his verbal warning which earns him a small 'Sorry' from the youngest. He continues after that. "My pick for this role has many factors for the reason behind it. The new leader will be..." He pauses and Leo hates the build of suspense though keeps quiet. "Donatello."

"WHAT!?" Four voices question in surprise of hearing that name be spoken.

"I will explain." Splinter tells them so they all wait for his explanation. "Donatello. You are indeed very well off with plenty of knowledge. I have seen your potential a few times before this. You have shown that you can do it if you put your mind to it. Also." He must have to turned to Leo and Raph as Leo can feel his gaze. "I heard the conversation you two had."

Leo feels two more sets of eyes cast in their direction.

"And Raphael. With your proclamation that you didn't want the leadership role I knew who would be next. If you two do decide to follow through with your idea I approve of it. It indeed a wonderful compromise to the situation we have unexpectedly found ourselves in. I also have confidence in the both of you being able to handle things if you did do it." Splinters words do still slightly surprise Leo to hear them. "I will leave that decision to the two of you however." The feeling of his gaze moves away though Leo is sure that he's still being looked at. "I am here to help with this big change. And do not fret Donatello I will help you feel more ready for this."

"I appreciate that Sensei." Donnie responds respectfully.

"That is all." Splinter is heard leaving the room and Leo feels a shift in the air. He tries to focus to figure out what it is. He thinks that it is curiosity... Only for him to realize that Splinter had basically told the other two that he and Raph had a plan. He finds it all makes sense as the other two will be wanting answers to their questions.

"So." Donnie clears his throat. "Is there something that the two of you want to tell us?"