In all honesty, Splinter could say he didn't regret that he'd stopped running from his past, from the obligations of his family. As sure as he'd been that turning from it was the best thing for him, and especially for his sons, it had been just as big a mistake. Heaven knew he'd made plenty. But even so, sometimes he couldn't help but feel a sense of bitterness toward that choice. It would come when he looked at one of his boys and saw eyes far too old for the young face they inhabited, a tiredness that came from more than lack of sleep.

None of the turtles regretted the path they'd taken, and they found a fulfillment in it that Splinter wasn't sure they'd have found anywhere else. But they'd been through so much, and every time they struggled or suffered, the rat couldn't help but feel a sense of failure. Realistically, he knew a parent couldn't protect their children from everything, no matter how much they wanted to. But that didn't make the longing any less.

Not long ago, Splinter had thought… and hoped… that the Krang invasion and its aftermath was the hardest thing his family would ever face. But, of course, they just weren't that lucky, and here they were again.

Leonardo had so much more strength than even he knew and had grown in ways he might never have if he hadn't been given more responsibility. But more than once, Splinter wished the transition hadn't been so sudden. Of course, had he anticipated anything like an invading race of self-superior, ruthless beings with near unstoppable weaponry, he'd have handled it much differently. But that thought wasn't much comfort, then or now.

"He's not even responding."

Donatello's voice broke the silence, dull and tired. Splinter placed a hand on Leo's head, letting out a quiet sigh.

"He may still be hearing us, Purple," he said. "He was strong enough to come back to us once… all we can do is keep trying."

His eyes remained on Leo's face; seeing it so still brought a harsh pain to his heart. Even knowing he was alive didn't bring as much comfort as seeing the bright eyes and easygoing smile that belonged on that face.

Despite himself, Splinter felt a slight smile come to his own face.

"I never doubted that you were strong, my son," he murmured. "Even from the start. No matter what, you found a way to smile, and I know too well that smiling in hard times can take incredible strength."

Splinter let out a weary sigh as he sank into the overstuffed armchair. In his unmutated life, he had sometimes thought of the possibility of being a parent. He'd never written it off, though even then he knew kids could be hard work, but he'd also never considered being a single father to four. Much less four mutated ones with almost limitless energy, while his own mutation extremely limited his options to provide for them.

As always, that sobering thought brought a sense of regret. Those little turtles had his DNA… unusual as the circumstances were, they were in every sense of the word his children. He still remembered that first night on the street after fleeing Draxum's lab with them… the night he realized those turtles weren't just altered animals. They were helpless babies, infants who could only look to him for care and protection. And they were all the family he had left. Even though he did the best he could for them, Splinter never stopped wishing it could be more. That he could give them the one thing they could never have: a normal childhood.

Suddenly, Splinter felt a small tug on his pant leg, pulling him out of his solemn thoughts. Blinking, he looked down to have a pair of wide, bright eyes edged with splashes of red meet his. Though he felt too tired to really smile, the sight warmed his heart. Leaning forward, he picked Leonardo up and settled him in his lap.

"Hello there, little Blue," he said. "What are you doing out here? It's late, you should be in bed."

The little slider only continued to gaze at him, brow creased in a slight frown. That brought some concern; Leo was always such a happy child. But before Splinter could say anything the small turtle spoke first, his toddler voice soft and concerned.

"Why Papa sad?"

Caught off guard, Splinter could only stare back. For just a moment, he seemed to flash back in time… to the first time that same face had looked up at him. Smaller, less human, but with the same curiosity and empathy. He'd known even then that this turtle was a unique spirit. Against his will, Splinter felt his throat tighten. He cleared it and managed to reply in a steady voice.

"It's nothing, my son. Sometimes…" He hesitated, trying to think of how to explain it, then sighed and gave Leo's head a gentle pat. "Grown-ups have a lot to do, especially papas. Sometimes they just get tired. And they worry about their little ones."

The turtle tot looked up at him, his small face thoughtful and inquisitive. Then it broke into that bright, cheerful smile he wore so often.

"You don' hafta worry, Papa," he said. "We like here, w' you."

Those words seemed to echo in Splinter's mind as he looked down at Leo, whose expression was the picture of contentment. His regrets seemed to dissolve as the realization came to him; even if his boys couldn't have a normal childhood, what mattered most was if they had a happy one. And looking at Blue now, he somehow felt more confident in his ability to give them that.

A small smile came to Splinter's face, and he began gently stroking the little turtle's head. Leo pressed into it, a soft churr escaping him as his eyes closed in bliss. That finally brought a full smile to Splinter's face. He knew that everything he'd been through had left its mark on him, and he would likely always have to deal with it. But he would never regret it… it had brought him to the turtles, his sons, the greatest blessing he could ask for.

And the sight of that smile would always remind him that.

The rat stroked his hand over Leo's head before continuing.

"But even then, I never imagined just how strong your spirit was until the invasion. Despite your struggles you never gave up hope, even when all of us… even me… considered all lost. You gave everything to save your family and this world, and still found your way back to us."

He was forced to pause, swallowing hard.

"I was taught long ago that courage does not come from being without fear, but from fighting fear to move past it. You have found the strength to fight your fear many times, Leonardo. Find that strength now, my son."

Soft sniffling came from behind him, and he recognized Orange's voice. Looking behind him, he saw the box turtle standing with his eyes closed tight and fists clenched, trembling. Without taking his hand from Leo's head, Splinter reached out with the other to take Michelangelo's hand. He felt the small turtle tense in surprise as his eyes opened, then took hold of Splinter's hand in return.

The old rat's mind went back to that long ago night in the alley, when his youngest was the first to reach out, anxious to give comfort even then. Some of Splinter's sorrow eased a little at the realization that even with everything he had done wrong, he was doing right by his sons now. And he had every intention of continuing, no matter what happened now. It wasn't much, but it was what they needed, and all he could do.

…

Of all the things he'd been through, even the Krang mind probe and possession, Raph knew nothing else would ever match the pain of seeing his family suffer. He looked down at Leo as his father finished his story.

Please, Leo. Please hear us, little brother.

No sooner had he finished his silent plea then Leo's face relaxed, his heavy breathing quieted. The snapper felt a sickening sensation in the pit of his stomach, his throat growing so tight he could barely breathe. Mikey's voice seemed to come from a distance, choked and trembling.

"Is… is he…"

But then Leo's brow furrowed, his eyelids quivered.

"Fight… f-fear…"

His voice was faint, weak, raspy, but it still made Raph's heart leap. Hearing his brother's voice for the first time in days, that he secretly feared he may never hear again, brought a joyfulness he couldn't put into words. Then slowly, ever so slowly, Leo's eyes opened. Blinking, he turned his head to look at the others. The corners of his mouth quirked up into a feeble smile.

A tearful laugh burst out of Raph then, and he heard more happy laughter from the others. Mikey leaped forward and wrapped Leo in a hug, sobbing his name over and over. Worry immediately filled Raph, remembering his blue-banded brother's fragile condition, but Mikey's movements were gentle, careful, and the snapper couldn't bring himself to intrude on his youngest brother's joy. That Donnie said no word in protest showed he felt the same. Though the softshell seemed at a loss for any words, staring with wide, brimming eyes as he trembled from head to foot. Raph gave him a pat on the shoulder, then bent to wrap his arms around his other two brothers, pressing his forehead to Leo's.

"There ya are, little brother," he whispered, his eyes stinging as tears escaped. "There ya are. We… thought you were gone for a while there."

Leo's smile widened a little, his eyes so weary but shining with emotion.

"I was," he murmured weakly. "But y-you guys… brought me back."

Casey spoke then, his voice breaking.

"Sensei… Leo, I…"

Raph looked at the human teen, then shifted to the side. Casey immediately fell to his knees beside Mikey, pressing his forehead to Leo's shoulder.

"I thought I lost you again," he choked. Leo let out a short, quiet chuckle as he lifted a hand and rested it heavily on Casey's head… Raph had the distinct impression he didn't have the strength to do more than that.

"Please. C-can't get rid a' me… that easy."

Splinter stroked a hand over his son's head, then moved it down to caress his cheek.

"Leonardo," he murmured, his voice quivering. "You've done your family proud once again."

Leo directed his smile toward his father.

"Thanks… Dad." He let out a tired sigh and closed his eyes again. Donnie seemed to snap out of his trance and rushed forward, checking Leo's pulse. The slider's eyes opened a little again.

"N-no worries… Don Tron. Jus' tired."

At those words, the tension drained out of the softshell. Tears flowed from his eyes as he closed them tightly and clutched his twin's hand.

"You ever do this again, Nardo," he gritted out. "And I swear I'll strangle you."

Leo's weak smile never faded as his fingers tightened just a little around Donnie's hand.

"L-love ya too, Dee," he rasped. "Raph, Mikey… thanks."

Raph couldn't suppress a soft chuckle, reaching out to pat Donnie's battle shell before running his other hand over Leo's head.

"We love ya too, Leo. Go on n' get some rest… we'll be here."

Leo's eyes had already closed again.

"'Kay," he whispered. "I know."

As he drifted off to sleep, Raph swallowed the lump in his throat and reached up to brush the tears from his eyes. But this time they were ones of joy... his brother had come back to them, and now they could help him heal. For the first time in days, the future didn't look so uncertain, it didn't look so dark.

It looked like something they could face together.