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Turned into something more.","count":"23","submission_left_submission_id":"895512","submission_left_file_name":"1220463_jkathurricane2813_chapter_15.doc","submission_right_submission_id":"897471","submission_right_file_name":"1223312_jkathurricane2813_chapter_17.doc"}],"description":"So we got a very confused and emotional Raph. And now we have a very confused yet half cleared up Leo. When will they finally confess they both love each other no matter what, you ask? I know!","description_bbcode_parsed":"So we got a very confused and emotional Raph. And now we have a very confused yet half cleared up Leo. When will they finally confess they both love each other no matter what, you ask? I know!","writing":"Chapter 16-\n\n\tLeo sighed as he stared up at the ceiling of his bedroom. He had been considering getting himself up and out of bed for the past thirty minutes, but each minute that passed he remained laying there on his bed like a sack of potatoes. \n\n\tHe just didn’t find it in him to face his family looking the way he did. Though they very much knew what he looked like as a women, he didn’t know how to act normal this way. How was he supposed to resume being the fearless leader he manage to make himself to be after years of working so hard? And now it all collapsed because of an experiment Baxter had performed on him, and it was his fault just because he forgot to bring his stupid swords along, being so focused on his pain and sorrow. Making him blinded to his safety. So desperate to avoid his family. \n\n\tAnd yet, he was still desperate to avoid his family.\n\n\tLeo groaned and rubbed the space between his eyes. He had counted by each of the day’s that passed so slowly. About a week and two day’s he counted. Mikey had been bringing him his breakfast lunch and dinner without saying a word. Probably because there was no use in speaking when Leo didn’t even respond. So his youngest sibling had resolved to just setting the tray of food in front of door on the floor. \n\n\tThe mint green turtle nibbled unenthusiastically at the food just enough that the growling in his stomach stopped. The only times he did come out of his room was to take care of hygiene and personal business that took place in the restroom. He had avoided all mirrors as well and had become very skilled washing his face and hands, and brushing his teeth with his eyes closed. Thank god for the lair didn’t have any shiny spaces so he could view his womanly reflection. \n\n\tThe other reason he came out was for Donnie to take another test on him. Drawing blood and tissue out of his body. Taking saliva and shell samples. Constantly checking his vitals’ and taking notes that soon found themselves in neat piles beside his geniuses brothers computer. But even through all that work they ended up nowhere except finding out Leo was a very healthy woman. \n\n\tLeo scowled as the name ‘women’ tasted bitter in his mouth. He had no problems with women. In fact he had very big respects for them and frankly he was impressed with some women he’s watched either on television or read in books. But that never changed the fact he had no desire to be one of them. \n\n\tSo he’s also avoided even talking about them as much as possible and he was most grateful to his family that they continued to call him by, “him, his, and he.” And so on. They still considered him brother. Probably because they knew very well if they dared called him sister, he would have killed himself.\n\n\tA knock to the door caused Leo’s heart to jump in his chest and the sapphire eyed terrapin took a breath to calm himself down.\n\n\t“Donnie please go away. I don’t feel like another test at the moment.” He called out. Sure that was who was at the door. \n\n\t“This is not Donatello, Leonardo.” Leo’s body stiffened slightly at the sound of his father’s voice before he groaned and swung his legs from the edge of the bed. Tying his light blue mask around his head he come to love wearing despite the backstory engraved in the stitches. Pushing himself up, his legs had become dangerously wobbly with the lack of exercise he’s given them. He supposed Master Splinter was here to tell him to start back in training again. He would suggest the thought. Maybe building up a little muscle into his new body might make him feel a little better about his girly form.\n\n\tLeo’s hand rested on the door knob and it took him several seconds to persuade his hand to open the door just a crack so he could gaze at his father’s rat body. \n\n\t“I would like to speak with you in my room.” \n\n\tLeo didn’t like the tone Splinter used in that sentence and he had no clue if this was going to be worth hearing. Leo didn’t protest but nodded and made his way out of his room, closing the door behind him, and following the mutant rat down the hall. Through the dojo and into the separate room Master Splinter had made himself comfortable with as his room.\n\n\tThe mint green turtle stood in the corner of the room as he slid the paper doors closed. Leo watched the old rat as he shifted his feet across the floor over to the small table placed neatly in the middle of the room. On it, rested a small tea bot and two cups. Leo noted at the stiffness his father used when walking, he knew he was getting older and his age was starting to show on him as his fur was nearly completely grey and the cane he always had with him had become useful other than something to hold in his hands and use as a weapon. He sat down on his knees and looked to Leo, his paw gesturing to the other side of the table.\n\n\t“Come sit my son.”\n\n\tLeo gulped at the seriousness he used. It definitely wasn’t going to be a normal, friendly, father and son chit chat. Leo silently walked across the room and sat down. Holding his chin up confidently and remembering not to hold his breath that he usually found himself doing when nervous or excited.\n\n\t“You said you needed to speak to me father?” The girlish voice that cracked seemed so alien to him as he spoke those words. The rat grunted his answer and poured the tea in both cups. Taking his own cup he raised it to his lips and took a small sip. Leo copied the motion and took barely one sip and swallowed down, watering his sudden dry throat.\n\n\t“Yes Leonardo, I was wanting to talk to you about some past events.” Leo stayed silent, his hands clenching the cup. “Raphael had spoken to me about what exactly you’ve done for two months ago. I suppose you still remember those events?”\n\n\tLeo’s sapphire eyes widen just the slightest and his breath held. So Raph had [i]told[/I] on him. He supposed he might have done the same, but did he really have to tell on him? After this moment he was in.\n\n\t“Raphael discussed this with me before we realized you had gone missing, but it does seem like a discussion we need to resolve no matter the situation.” \n\n\t“S-Sensei, I-I d-didn’t mean[s]---[/s]” Leo held his tongue when Splinter’s paw raised.\n\n\t“I am also aware of how this was a harmless little prank. Michelangelo, Donatello, and April had come to me to also explain how they forced you to dress up like a girl and pretended to be a stranger to Raphael.” The blue masked ninja paused before nodding. There was no use in lying when the truth was finally revealed. \n\n\t“Though they are in the wrong for what they did. I have to agree with Raphael that you shouldn’t have gone two whole months of keeping silent. Raphael had refused to forgive you for now, but I wouldn’t know when exactly he will say anything. He did seem pretty angry when he came to speak with me. But I have told him that forgiveness is the act of mercy, and considering your predicament I don’t think you can afford any more weight on your shoulders. Nonetheless though, its Raphael’s decision wither he chooses to forgive you or not.”\n\n\tLeo’s head hung as he stared at the floor. It hurt that he needed to be shown mercy because of his . . . predicament. He supposed he had been treating himself horribly from this change, but that didn’t give anyone the right to say they needed to give him mercy. As much as it was appreciated it. He wanted Raph to manage to forgive him when he wants to. Not because of pity. \n\n\t“. . . He also discussed with me on other matters.” Leo’s head raised the slightest.\n\n\t“About you had developed unusual non-brotherly emotions for Raphael over those two months.” The sapphire eyes clenched shut as he flinched. He couldn’t believe Raph had spilled about [i]that[/i] to. That damn turtle doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut! Leo also developed an immediate need to throttle his brother for that.\n\n\t“Is this the truth Leonardo?” With a great amount of effort, Leo nodded.\n\n\t“Hm, I see.” The mint green reptile gazed up at his rat father in question. \n\n\t“You see?”\n\n\t“There are two sides of this argument. The one Raphael had discussed with me and the one Donatello, Michelangelo, and April spoke with me. They think you are completely innocent. Raphael thinks you’re completely guilty. Now Leonardo, I want to know what you think. I want to hear your argument.” Leo looked back down at his lap, his hands tightening into fists. He was so not ready for this conversation. \n\n\t“I-I. . .” Splinter continued to wait patiently for his eldest son to find the words he was searching for.\n\n\t“. . . I have to agree with both parties, Sensei. Though I should have said no to my brothers when they dared me into dressing up into a girl. They had forced me into the matter I didn’t want to do. But Raphael is in the right on this, I should have stomped my foot down, I should have told him right when I first met him on the roof instead of playing along. No matter the temptation.” The old rat nodded. \n\n\t“Now that’s your opinion on their explanations. I want to know about these feelings you developed.” Leo licked his dry lips and took in a few breaths.\n\n\t“They were unintentional feelings[s]---[/s]” The blue masked ninja raised his head and straightened his back. Making himself look stoic and confident. “But they [i]are[/i] feelings. I’m not going to lie to you Sensei, that I had established an emotional connection to Raphael over those two years.”\n\n\t“And?”\n\n\t“And[s]---[/s]” Leo paused, not knowing what else to say. “And[s]---[/s] I have fallen in love with Raphael.” He answered simply.\n\n\t“Hmm.” Splinter nodded. \n\n\t“But, you must know that these feelings will not affect me or my role in the team. I intend to not allow my feelings for Raphael to get in the way. Nor make him uncomfortable[s]---[/s]” The old rats paw raised once again, causing Leo to fall silent.\n\n\t“I have to say that these feelings you hold I do not approve of, but I will not do anything to force you to get rid of them. I have noted that you are the only ones of your kind and forming an emotional bond that runs deeper than brother hood I have expected for quite some time. I just never expected this would be the way they would be triggered.”\n\n\t“Only by me Sensei. Raphael had made it very clear to me that he doesn’t hold the same feelings as I do.”\n\n\t“On the contrary my son,” Leo stared quite shocked and confused at that statement. “Though I’m not saying that Raphael has fallen for you or not. But his emotions are muddled in a way none of us could conclude what he’s feeling. Nor could Raphael.”\n\n\t“So. . .” \n\n\t“So, I’m not saying that you should give up hope completely.” Leo’s mouth fell agape.\n\n\t“You[s]---[/s] want me to keep ahold of these feelings for Raph?” \n\n\t“This is the first time you’ve in love haven’t you? I’m not about to crush them completely, and in truth. I don’t think Raphael does either.”\n\n\t“That’s not true. What about Karai?” Splinter gave Leo a look he hadn’t seen that often and it told him he should shut his mouth right now. Obviously his father didn’t believe in that statement. Leo’s head hung.\n\n\t“Yeah. I suppose she wasn’t real.”\n\n\t“My son. Karai is a strong beautiful young woman. But she has hurt you many times.”\n\n\t“That’s doesn’t mean[s]---[/s]”\n\n\t“Ah, my son. Have you not realized who exactly you’ve gone to after she betrayed us?” Leo gaped at his father when realization came to hit him straight in the face. He had gone to Raph. After she chose Shredder over them, he had went to Raph for emotional support and that emerald turtle had willingly gave it to him. Despite how deep his hatred ran for her. Master Splinter smiled when he noticed that Leo had finally got the answer he was looking for showing across his face.\n\n\tLeo stood up when Splinter did and gave him a respectful bow. \n\n\t“Thank you Sensei.” And with that his father dismissed him. Splinter sighed as he watched his son walk out of his room. He had every intention to punish his son for lying, but he rethought about it when Leonardo came back as a girl. He supposed the switch of genders was punishment enough for the poor mint green turtle. Splinter looked over to the picture of him, his wife, and his daughter Miwa. Taking it off the night stand he kept beside his bedside, he contemplated the small family he had once. \n\n\tEver since Karai’s mutation, she had decided that she wanted to run off to places outside of New York and with the fact that she could change back into human form whenever she pleases gave her the freedom she was searching for. Though she broke his heart when he found that she betrayed him for Shredder, he had learned to forgive the girl when she found her place in the world. When she finally knew the whole truth before making her final decision.\n\n\tMaster Splinter could feel the corner of his mouth tweak into a smile as he took one last glance at the picture before he set the picture back in its rightful place. Though he never could have his daughter with him in person. She would still be with him in memory. \n\n. . .\n\n\tRaph rubbed his face with cold water and contemplated his reflection in the mirror. With a growl he tossed water on the mirror and walked over to the toilet placed beside the sink and he planted his rear on the lid. Rubbing his temples and he groaned. \n\n\tHe didn’t want to think about it so much but the memory’s continue to force their way into his brain and build up guilt. He was starting to regret having that discussion with Splinter after he stormed out of Leo’s room in a fury and Leo took off out of the lair. \n\n\tHe was mad. The things he said were from anger. He was so harsh and cruel. Though in truth half of it he thought Leo deserved. The other half . . . not so much. In fact, he thought he had gone too far with his words. Sure, being in love with your brother didn’t sound like a normal thing. Not the way they were raised, but it wasn’t Leo’s fault. No one can really control who they fall in love with. Raph should know, he unintentionally fell in love with Lyric.\n\n\tRaph snarled at himself as his hands ran along his head. He fell in love with Lyric who was secretly Leo. But it wasn’t the body that attracted him. Despite the fact that she was probably the only girl ever in their species. Or at least that’s what he had thought. It was that damn personality. The light happy mood she always had. The sweetness. Yet she was tough. She had the best laugh and always knew how to make him laugh, like she knew him for years, and technically she did. She was easy to talk to and she understood everything he said. \n\n\tAnd the problem was that, that was everything Leo was and the whole time he was disguised as someone he’s not. He had to look like a girl just to get Raph to realize the greatness that was Leonardo.\n\n\tRaph sighed and leaned back on the toilet as he stared at the white tiles on the wall. His foot tapping to an invisible rhythm.\n\n\tMaybe. This was just a possibility. He had fallen in love with Leo without even realizing it. \n\n\tRaph made a 'tsk' with his tongue and shook his head. No. That couldn’t be it. Could it[s]---[/s]? The red masked turtle could hear footsteps from outside of the door. He looked down at the floor and saw a pair of feet shadows that passed by the door. He knew Mikey would be loud when he walks despite years of training as a ninja and those footsteps weren’t his. Donnie would be mumbling stuff to himself. They were light and silent. \n\n\tLeo must have finished talking to Master Splinter. Raph bit his lip as he continue to stare at the door regardless of the fact the footsteps were cut off by a slam to a door. He really hoped Master Splinter had decided not to punish Leo for all he did. Sure, he went barging into his father’s room and started cursing and shouting out his freaked out mind. Once the old rat got him calmed he seemed to have understood where he was coming from, and normally Raph would have been relieved at that. But what if Master Splinter had understood him too much and thought that it would be best to punish Leo in some brutal way. \n\n\tRaph shivered at the thought. So much concern developed in him so suddenly. But for some reason he wasn’t surprised about it. In fact, he was just fine with it. He was more worried on how Leo came out of that talk he saw Splinter was wanting to have.\n \n\tIt took all his will power not to follow along behind and eavesdrop on the conversation, but with Splinter’s sharp ears he wasn’t going to take the risk of being caught.\n\n\tRaph chewed on his lip and got up. Walking out of the bathroom, he leisurely made his way over to his older brother’s door. His eyes gazing hard on the door knob. \n\n\tThe sound of grunting and a pillow being harassed came from the other side. \n\n\t“Erg! Raph! Why do you have to be so . . . so . . .!?” One final thump and the sounds became silent for the longest time. Then Leo spoke again.\n\n\t“So . . . wonderful.” Raph’s emerald eyes went wide and he could feel heat rising in his face. He had to use the door frame to keep himself from falling over and it took all he could not to cough to clear the lump in his throat. Even after all that happened? All that Raph said to him, Leo still loved him? \n\n\tRaph shook his head and banged the side of it against the door frame silently. That didn’t sound too right. Maybe he was imagining it. Raph wanted to believe that, but the words echoed in his head like a recording. He couldn’t block it out. \n\n\tHe could feel that his heart was beating unusually fast and he blamed it on stress. With a soft sigh, he nudged his elbow on the wall to push himself up right. Waiting until the room had stopped spinning before he made his way down the hall over to his room. He had some serious thinking to attend to. He hoped the answers would come out somewhere in there.\n","writing_bbcode_parsed":"Chapter 16-

\tLeo sighed as he stared up at the ceiling of his bedroom. He had been considering getting himself up and out of bed for the past thirty minutes, but each minute that passed he remained laying there on his bed like a sack of potatoes.

\tHe just didn’t find it in him to face his family looking the way he did. Though they very much knew what he looked like as a women, he didn’t know how to act normal this way. How was he supposed to resume being the fearless leader he manage to make himself to be after years of working so hard? And now it all collapsed because of an experiment Baxter had performed on him, and it was his fault just because he forgot to bring his stupid swords along, being so focused on his pain and sorrow. Making him blinded to his safety. So desperate to avoid his family.

\tAnd yet, he was still desperate to avoid his family.

\tLeo groaned and rubbed the space between his eyes. He had counted by each of the day’s that passed so slowly. About a week and two day’s he counted. Mikey had been bringing him his breakfast lunch and dinner without saying a word. Probably because there was no use in speaking when Leo didn’t even respond. So his youngest sibling had resolved to just setting the tray of food in front of door on the floor.

\tThe mint green turtle nibbled unenthusiastically at the food just enough that the growling in his stomach stopped. The only times he did come out of his room was to take care of hygiene and personal business that took place in the restroom. He had avoided all mirrors as well and had become very skilled washing his face and hands, and brushing his teeth with his eyes closed. Thank god for the lair didn’t have any shiny spaces so he could view his womanly reflection.

\tThe other reason he came out was for Donnie to take another test on him. Drawing blood and tissue out of his body. Taking saliva and shell samples. Constantly checking his vitals’ and taking notes that soon found themselves in neat piles beside his geniuses brothers computer. But even through all that work they ended up nowhere except finding out Leo was a very healthy woman.

\tLeo scowled as the name ‘women’ tasted bitter in his mouth. He had no problems with women. In fact he had very big respects for them and frankly he was impressed with some women he’s watched either on television or read in books. But that never changed the fact he had no desire to be one of them.

\tSo he’s also avoided even talking about them as much as possible and he was most grateful to his family that they continued to call him by, “him, his, and he.” And so on. They still considered him brother. Probably because they knew very well if they dared called him sister, he would have killed himself.

\tA knock to the door caused Leo’s heart to jump in his chest and the sapphire eyed terrapin took a breath to calm himself down.

\t“Donnie please go away. I don’t feel like another test at the moment.” He called out. Sure that was who was at the door.

\t“This is not Donatello, Leonardo.” Leo’s body stiffened slightly at the sound of his father’s voice before he groaned and swung his legs from the edge of the bed. Tying his light blue mask around his head he come to love wearing despite the backstory engraved in the stitches. Pushing himself up, his legs had become dangerously wobbly with the lack of exercise he’s given them. He supposed Master Splinter was here to tell him to start back in training again. He would suggest the thought. Maybe building up a little muscle into his new body might make him feel a little better about his girly form.

\tLeo’s hand rested on the door knob and it took him several seconds to persuade his hand to open the door just a crack so he could gaze at his father’s rat body.

\t“I would like to speak with you in my room.”

\tLeo didn’t like the tone Splinter used in that sentence and he had no clue if this was going to be worth hearing. Leo didn’t protest but nodded and made his way out of his room, closing the door behind him, and following the mutant rat down the hall. Through the dojo and into the separate room Master Splinter had made himself comfortable with as his room.

\tThe mint green turtle stood in the corner of the room as he slid the paper doors closed. Leo watched the old rat as he shifted his feet across the floor over to the small table placed neatly in the middle of the room. On it, rested a small tea bot and two cups. Leo noted at the stiffness his father used when walking, he knew he was getting older and his age was starting to show on him as his fur was nearly completely grey and the cane he always had with him had become useful other than something to hold in his hands and use as a weapon.  He sat down on his knees and looked to Leo, his paw gesturing to the other side of the table.

\t“Come sit my son.”

\tLeo gulped at the seriousness he used. It definitely wasn’t going to be a normal, friendly, father and son chit chat. Leo silently walked across the room and sat down. Holding his chin up confidently and remembering not to hold his breath that he usually found himself doing when nervous or excited.

\t“You said you needed to speak to me father?” The girlish voice that cracked seemed so alien to him as he spoke those words. The rat grunted his answer and poured the tea in both cups. Taking his own cup he raised it to his lips and took a small sip. Leo copied the motion and took barely one sip and swallowed down, watering his sudden dry throat.

\t“Yes Leonardo, I was wanting to talk to you about some past events.” Leo stayed silent, his hands clenching the cup. “Raphael had spoken to me about what exactly you’ve done for two months ago. I suppose you still remember those events?”

\tLeo’s sapphire eyes widen just the slightest and his breath held. So Raph had told on him. He supposed he might have done the same, but did he really have to tell on him? After this moment he was in.

\t“Raphael discussed this with me before we realized you had gone missing, but it does seem like a discussion we need to resolve no matter the situation.”

\t“S-Sensei, I-I d-didn’t mean---” Leo held his tongue when Splinter’s paw raised.

\t“I am also aware of how this was a harmless little prank. Michelangelo, Donatello, and April had come to me to also explain how they forced you to dress up like a girl and pretended to be a stranger to Raphael.” The blue masked ninja paused before nodding. There was no use in lying when the truth was finally revealed.

\t“Though they are in the wrong for what they did. I have to agree with Raphael that you shouldn’t have gone two whole months of keeping silent. Raphael had refused to forgive you for now, but I wouldn’t know when exactly he will say anything. He did seem pretty angry when he came to speak with me. But I have told him that forgiveness is the act of mercy, and considering your predicament I don’t think you can afford any more weight on your shoulders. Nonetheless though, its Raphael’s decision wither he chooses to forgive you or not.”

\tLeo’s head hung as he stared at the floor. It hurt that he needed to be shown mercy because of his . . . predicament. He supposed he had been treating himself horribly from this change, but that didn’t give anyone the right to say they needed to give him mercy. As much as it was appreciated it. He wanted Raph to manage to forgive him when he wants to. Not because of pity.

\t“. . . He also discussed with me on other matters.” Leo’s head raised the slightest.

\t“About you had developed unusual non-brotherly emotions for Raphael over those two months.” The sapphire eyes clenched shut as he flinched. He couldn’t believe Raph had spilled about that to. That damn turtle doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut! Leo also developed an immediate need to throttle his brother for that.

\t“Is this the truth Leonardo?” With a great amount of effort, Leo nodded.

\t“Hm, I see.” The mint green reptile gazed up at his rat father in question.

\t“You see?”

\t“There are two sides of this argument. The one Raphael had discussed with me and the one Donatello, Michelangelo, and April spoke with me. They think you are completely innocent. Raphael thinks you’re completely guilty. Now Leonardo, I want to know what you think. I want to hear your argument.” Leo looked back down at his lap, his hands tightening into fists. He was so not ready for this conversation.

\t“I-I. . .” Splinter continued to wait patiently for his eldest son to find the words he was searching for.

\t“. . . I have to agree with both parties, Sensei. Though I should have said no to my brothers when they dared me into dressing up into a girl. They had forced me into the matter I didn’t want to do. But Raphael is in the right on this, I should have stomped my foot down, I should have told him right when I first met him on the roof instead of playing along. No matter the temptation.” The old rat nodded.

\t“Now that’s your opinion on their explanations. I want to know about these feelings you developed.” Leo licked his dry lips and took in a few breaths.

\t“They were unintentional feelings---” The blue masked ninja raised his head and straightened his back. Making himself look stoic and confident. “But they are feelings. I’m not going to lie to you Sensei, that I had established an emotional connection to Raphael over those two years.”

\t“And?”

\t“And---” Leo paused, not knowing what else to say. “And--- I have fallen in love with Raphael.” He answered simply.

\t“Hmm.” Splinter nodded.

\t“But, you must know that these feelings will not affect me or my role in the team. I intend to not allow my feelings for Raphael to get in the way. Nor make him uncomfortable---” The old rats paw raised once again, causing Leo to fall silent.

\t“I have to say that these feelings you hold I do not approve of, but I will not do anything to force you to get rid of them. I have noted that you are the only ones of your kind and forming an emotional bond that runs deeper than brother hood I have expected for quite some time. I just never expected this would be the way they would be triggered.”

\t“Only by me Sensei. Raphael had made it very clear to me that he doesn’t hold the same feelings as I do.”

\t“On the contrary my son,” Leo stared quite shocked and confused at that statement. “Though I’m not saying that Raphael has fallen for you or not. But his emotions are muddled in a way none of us could conclude what he’s feeling. Nor could Raphael.”

\t“So. . .”

\t“So, I’m not saying that you should give up hope completely.” Leo’s mouth fell agape.

\t“You--- want me to keep ahold of these feelings for Raph?”

\t“This is the first time you’ve in love haven’t you? I’m not about to crush them completely, and in truth. I don’t think Raphael does either.”

\t“That’s not true. What about Karai?” Splinter gave Leo a look he hadn’t seen that often and it told him he should shut his mouth right now. Obviously his father didn’t believe in that statement. Leo’s head hung.

\t“Yeah. I suppose she wasn’t real.”

\t“My son. Karai is a strong beautiful young woman. But she has hurt you many times.”

\t“That’s doesn’t mean---”

\t“Ah, my son. Have you not realized who exactly you’ve gone to after she betrayed us?” Leo gaped at his father when realization came to hit him straight in the face. He had gone to Raph. After she chose Shredder over them, he had went to Raph for emotional support and that emerald turtle had willingly gave it to him. Despite how deep his hatred ran for her. Master Splinter smiled when he noticed that Leo had finally got the answer he was looking for showing across his face.

\tLeo stood up when Splinter did and gave him a respectful bow.

\t“Thank you Sensei.” And with that his father dismissed him. Splinter sighed as he watched his son walk out of his room. He had every intention to punish his son for lying, but he rethought about it when Leonardo came back as a girl. He supposed the switch of genders was punishment enough for the poor mint green turtle. Splinter looked over to the picture of him, his wife, and his daughter Miwa. Taking it off the night stand he kept beside his bedside, he contemplated the small family he had once.

\tEver since Karai’s mutation, she had decided that she wanted to run off to places outside of New York and with the fact that she could change back into human form whenever she pleases gave her the freedom she was searching for. Though she broke his heart when he found that she betrayed him for Shredder, he had learned to forgive the girl when she found her place in the world. When she finally knew the whole truth before making her final decision.

\tMaster Splinter could feel the corner of his mouth tweak into a smile as he took one last glance at the picture before he set the picture back in its rightful place. Though he never could have his daughter with him in person. She would still be with him in memory.

.  .  .

\tRaph rubbed his face with cold water and contemplated his reflection in the mirror. With a growl he tossed water on the mirror and walked over to the toilet placed beside the sink and he planted his rear on the lid. Rubbing his temples and he groaned.

\tHe didn’t want to think about it so much but the memory’s continue to force their way into his brain and build up guilt. He was starting to regret having that discussion with Splinter after he stormed out of Leo’s room in a fury and Leo took off out of the lair.

\tHe was mad. The things he said were from anger. He was so harsh and cruel. Though in truth half of it he thought Leo deserved. The other half . . . not so much. In fact, he thought he had gone too far with his words. Sure, being in love with your brother didn’t sound like a normal thing. Not the way they were raised, but it wasn’t Leo’s fault. No one can really control who they fall in love with. Raph should know, he unintentionally fell in love with Lyric.

\tRaph snarled at himself as his hands ran along his head. He fell in love with Lyric who was secretly Leo. But it wasn’t the body that attracted him. Despite the fact that she was probably the only girl ever in their species. Or at least that’s what he had thought. It was that damn personality. The light happy mood she always had. The sweetness. Yet she was tough. She had the best laugh and always knew how to make him laugh, like she knew him for years, and technically she did. She was easy to talk to and she understood everything he said.

\tAnd the problem was that, that was everything Leo was and the whole time he was disguised as someone he’s not. He had to look like a girl just to get Raph to realize the greatness that was Leonardo.

\tRaph sighed and leaned back on the toilet as he stared at the white tiles on the wall. His foot tapping to an invisible rhythm.

\tMaybe. This was just a possibility. He had fallen in love with Leo without even realizing it.

\tRaph made a 'tsk' with his tongue and shook his head. No. That couldn’t be it. Could it---? The red masked turtle could hear footsteps from outside of the door. He looked down at the floor and saw a pair of feet shadows that passed by the door. He knew Mikey would be loud when he walks despite years of training as a ninja and those footsteps weren’t his. Donnie would be mumbling stuff to himself. They were light and silent.

\tLeo must have finished talking to Master Splinter. Raph bit his lip as he continue to stare at the door regardless of the fact the footsteps were cut off by a slam to a door. He really hoped Master Splinter had decided not to punish Leo for all he did. Sure, he went barging into his father’s room and started cursing and shouting out his freaked out mind. Once the old rat got him calmed he seemed to have understood where he was coming from, and normally Raph would have been relieved at that. But what if Master Splinter had understood him too much and thought that it would be best to punish Leo in some brutal way.

\tRaph shivered at the thought. So much concern developed in him so suddenly. But for some reason he wasn’t surprised about it. In fact, he was just fine with it. He was more worried on how Leo came out of that talk he saw Splinter was wanting to have.
 
\tIt took all his will power not to follow along behind and eavesdrop on the conversation, but with Splinter’s sharp ears he wasn’t going to take the risk of being caught.

\tRaph chewed on his lip and got up. Walking out of the bathroom, he leisurely made his way over to his older brother’s door. His eyes gazing hard on the door knob.

\tThe sound of grunting and a pillow being harassed came from the other side.

\t“Erg! Raph! Why do you have to be so . . . so . . .!?” One final thump and the sounds became silent for the longest time. Then Leo spoke again.

\t“So . . . wonderful.” Raph’s emerald eyes went wide and he could feel heat rising in his face. He had to use the door frame to keep himself from falling over and it took all he could not to cough to clear the lump in his throat. Even after all that happened? All that Raph said to him, Leo still loved him?

\tRaph shook his head and banged the side of it against the door frame silently. That didn’t sound too right. Maybe he was imagining it. Raph wanted to believe that, but the words echoed in his head like a recording. He couldn’t block it out.

\tHe could feel that his heart was beating unusually fast and he blamed it on stress. With a soft sigh, he nudged his elbow on the wall to push himself up right. Waiting until the room had stopped spinning before he made his way down the hall over to his room. He had some serious thinking to attend to. He hoped the answers would come out somewhere in there.
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