Chapter 2: The Passing, The Fight, and The Silence

6 Months Earlier

Donatello's POV

One month ago was the most devastating day of our lives. One month ago our sensei and father passed away. We knew it had been coming, Splinter had become very weak, and became ill more frequently. This realization was tough on everyone, but seemed to affect Leo the most. Once Master Splinter admitted his time with us would soon be coming to an end, Leo began to train more. He spent as much time learning from our sensei as he could. Leo was the eldest and his skills and knowledge closely matched our fathers more than the rest of us combined. Once our father passed away, Leo would officially become the head of our family.

Mikey would spend all his free time watching soaps with our father. He absolutely hated them, they weren't filled with with kick ass action, or intense fights. I think this was his way of trying to make Master Splinter feel loved, create memories with him and give everyone else time to process our grief without our fathering witnessing our breakdowns.

Raph began to withdraw even more than usual. Aside from our training, he did not leave his room. He even stopped spending time with Casey. When anyone tried to talk to him he would yell and scream, and throw nearby items before storming off to his room.

However, Master Splinter withering away in front of me was the most difficult thing I have ever encountered in my life. Only myself and Leo knew the reason our father was so ill. Leo knew since he would be our sensei soon, and I knew since I was our families resident doctor. Our brothers believed he was passing from old age, but the truth was that his injuries over the years were catching up with him and his heart was giving out.

Master Splinter's last day with us, friends all over came to visit. Even the Ancient One and the Ninja Tribunal came to say goodbye. The first event of the day was the ceremony to induct Leo as our new sensei. The day was spent with family and friends, filled with both laughter and tears.

At the end of the day, Master Splinter asked us into the dojo where he presented us each with a gift. "I love you all my sons. Leonardo will take care of you. I am proud of who you became, and do not let my passing prevent you from continuously growing. Goodbye my sons." These were Master Splinters last words before he laid down and took his final breath.

Mikey's POV

Today was a new type of typical day for us. We finished our morning training with Leo, which after a month still feels weird. April and Casey moved out to the farmhouse three weeks ago and were now expecting a child. April was three months pregnant, and they found out they were having a boy. They wanted to honour Master Splinter, and named their unborn child Yoshi Jones.

When we helped move them out to the farmhouse, it was the last time we saw them. The last time we went topside. After the move was completed and we returned to New York, Don now stays in his lab all day and night honing his medical skills and building us new gadgets. Raph stays in his room listening to hard rock, while punching the bag he moved from the dojo to his room to avoid interacting with us.

Leo is either in the dojo meditating, practicing his katas or studying new skills to train us in. This behaviour was not new, but had grown more intense since father passed away. I don't blame my brothers for their daily activities. This was the only way they knew how to grieve. We haven't experienced much death of a close loved one before, just close calls and this is always how my brothers react. Usually I would be running around trying to cheer my brothers up, but I don't find joy in that anymore. I've been spending all my time re-watching Master Splinters favourite Soap's. I still dislike them, but these shows allow me to feel as if nothing had changed.

I looked up at the time and realized it was almost time for supper. I got off the couch and made my way towards the kitchen. As I passed the lab, where Donnie resided working on his latest project I heard yelling. I stopped at the doorway to listen in. Raph and Donnie had been fighting a lot as of recent, and Leo always had to step in before it got too physical. Raph's temper had been rather difficult to manage lately. I sighed inwardly, turning to walk towards the dojo to get Leo to prevent Raph from ripping Donnie limb by limb. My attention was caught as the dojo door opened quickly and my eldest brother exited the room.

"Raphael! That's enough!" He yelled. I guess that he had already heard the commotion from our brothers. "Everyone in the dojo. NOW!" It was obvious that Leo was furious at the situation unfolding in our home. I stopped to think, that used to be Leo and Raph fighting and Master Splinter stepping in to stop the fighting. How the tables have turned. As I entered the dojo, I met face to face with an angry Raph and an annoying Donnie. I continued walking towards my usual spot and then knelt down. I did not say anything. Over the past three weeks, with all the changes I have kept quiet and to myself.

Leo stood up once we were all gathered. He turned his back from us. "I know this month has been extremely difficult for all of us. We have all been grieving." He turned to face us. You could see him trying to hide the emotions on his face. "That is not an excuse for all the fighting that has been occurring within our home. It is time we began the healing process as a family. Everyone pack your bags. We are going to traveling to Japan. Get some sleep we leave at dawn.

Raph's POV

I woke up to the sound of an alarm ringing through our speaker system. I rolled over, groaning as I looked at the time on my shell cell. The clock read 4:00 AM in bright red lettering. "He wasn't kidding about leaving at dawn." I grumpily mumbled to myself.

I stood up and began to pack my things. By 5:00 AM I was ready to go. I left my room with my pack over my shell and walked to the living room where my brothers were all sitting waiting for me. Donnie threw a bagel at me. "Eat up, you'll need your energy." I caught the bagel with ease before scarfing it down. Leo stood up. "Everyone ready? It's a long walk. Let's head out." We were WALKING to Japan from New York? Leo must know that we will listen to Mikey complaining the whole way there.

Leo walked out of the lair, Mikey following right behind Leo, Donnie not too far back from Mikey. I tend to stick to the rear when we walk in a line like this. Leo leads, and protects us from the front and any incoming danger he may sense. I protect us from the back, constantly scanning for any enemies trying to sneak up on us. Something we perfected a long time ago.

As we walked I considered the reasoning behind why Leo would want us to walk the whole trip. After a while of concentration, I came to the conclusion that this must be his way for us to experience the peacefulness of nature and spend time together. "Turtle bonding". Not my forte.

The first day of our journey had been completely silent. No one said a word, Mikey didn't even complain once. After hours of walking Leo finally stopped. "Let's set up camp here for the night. We will continue our journey in the morning." My brothers and I followed suit and began to settle down for the night. No one spoke as word as we all laid down for the night. I pulled my sleeping bag up, letting the warmth lull me to the sleep.

The Next Morning

The first thing I heard in the morning was birds chirping. I had such a peaceful sleep. No alarms, no training, no trains and no yelling. I kept my eyes closed. It was the most relaxed I had felt in months. I continued listening to the birds and my surroundings, then the shuffling of feet moving from one side of camp to the other.

"How did you sleep last night little brother?" Leo asked Donnie quietly. Donnie whispered back to our leader. "It's so peaceful out Leo. That was the best sleep I have had in a month." I chuckled internally. Same bro, same.

"I noticed something yesterday on our walk." Don announced cautiously. "It's Mikey. He did not complain once on our journey yesterday. He was silent all day. I didn't realize until now that he hasn't been himself since father passed away." Leo took a deep breath in.

"Where is he right now Leo?" Don questioned. I heard more shuffling of feet. "He's by the river, he's been down there for hours." I chose this moment to open my eyes and sit up. I turned my head towards where Leo and Don were, Leo was pointing towards the near by river. My gaze followed his hand and saw Mikey sitting at the river with his feet in the water. Looking lost in thought.

"I didn't notice either Donnie." I said, announcing my presence to my brothers. "I've been so self absorbed, I never noticed." Leo sighed. "I assumed as much. Michelangelo needs our help right now. You have been so busy fighting you didn't notice our brother has been acting strange." I flinched, the affects of Leo's words stinging me.

"That's why we took this trip by foot, isn't it?" Don quizzed. Leo nodded. I stared at Mikey once more. All the anger I've felt over the last three months faded away. Replaced by worry for the youngest turtle.

"Don, I'm sorry for all the yelling I've done. Let's show Mikey everything is okay and that things are beginning to go back to normal." I spoke confidently.

"Let's help our baby brother." Don agreed.