Chapter 5

Trip to Japan was long and mostly filled in silent as Leo's eyes studied this piece of paper in his hands where was names of all those who were related to master Yoshi. He felt so bad deep inside he had to do this but he pushed those feelings and thoughts away from his mind, focusing on the sound of Shredder's private plane what Leo was now sharing with elite ninja and pilots.

"Don't try to analyze this mission, or any, too much. All what you need to think is your orders and fulfilling them. Nothing more."

Leo slowly turned his head toward Goro, elite ninja who finally had revealed his name to him. It was easier to speak with him while knowing his name.

"It seems you have done this kind of missions before."

"Correct. That's why Master sent me with you."

With deep and long sigh Leo's focus turned back on the names on paper.

"I don't get it. Why he wants all of those people dead even that Yoshi's dead. Has been for over 15 years easily. Why still hanging in the past and seeking for revenge which will be totally useless?"

"Trust me, Leonardo. When Master gets some idea in his head, he will make it happen. Plus the shame of defeat to Yoshi is very great power what drives Master Shredder forward."

"I still don't get it."

"Listen, Leonardo. It's best not to think about him and how his mind works. You will only drive yourself crazy." Goro's head turned away as he looked through small window before speaking. "Try to get some rest. It will be a hard and long mission and you will need your energy."

Leo fold this paper in his hands, placing it in this small pocket of his pants but then his focus turned on those 2 bandannas wrapped around his right arm. Orange and purple; Mike and Don. Turning to look out through window his fingers ran gently and slow over those 2 fabrics and he couldn't stop worrying about his brothers, wishing to see them soon.

--

Flight was long but it finally came to an end and much for Leo's own surprise, he had managed to sleep in plane many hours when he finally had turned too exhausted to stay awake. Goro escorted Leonardo in this small house what was in their use only, far away from cities in the forest, and from there they would start to hunt their targets...

First 'hunting' night seemed to be difficult to Leo but with Goro's support he had managed to kill those who were related to Yoshi and before leaving, Leo always apologized in his mind while bowing deep to those blood covered dead bodies. It twisted his stomach when his hands turned more and more blood covered after each kill and there was still more to come.

Door was kicked in and Leo leaped in this old Japanese house were young couple lived. Both husband and wife were sitting on the floor hugging each other as Leo slowly walked toward them pulling his katana in his hand, still having dry blood on it from previous victims and he didn't hesitate when his hand rose, cutting both of their heads off what rolled on the floor. Leo's eyes stayed on those bodies when something suddenly got his attention. His hand rose up under the moon light faster than anyone could follow as the blade shined but he suddenly froze, staring back in those wide scared eyes.

This small boy, 5 or 6 years at the most, sat on the floor sideways hugging his toy trembling violently, keeping tearful shocked eyes on Leo who couldn't move an inch. Lump rose in his throat and his heart turned heavy with burning eyes as his arm, which held the blade, started to tremble slightly.

"What are you waiting for? Finish him. We need to go."

Leo heard Goro's words but he just couldn't get it done, no matter how much Leo's mind screamed him to kill the kid.

"I can't... He's just a kid."

"Kill him or do I have to report Shredder you failed?"

"....."

"... P-please... Sir demon.. I promise to be a good boy... I will never say or do anything bad to anyone again. I promise...!"

His gaze softened as this kid hugged his toy begging Leo to spare him but he also hear him to whisper; "Big brother's spirit, protect me from this demon. I'm scared..."

"Leonardo!"

Biting his teeth together sobbing hard and fast Leo raised his sword, tears blurring his vision as he whispered; "I'm so sorry, Kid. Forgive me." And with one hard swing another innocent lost his life by his hands. Dropping his arms and shoulders down, raising face up to ceiling Leo let out long exhale which held so much pain in it. Goro's hand landed on his shoulder guiding Leo gently out and deep in the forest where they wouldn't be found. Trips was full of sounds of Leo's silent cry as Goro's eyes witnessed it how broken this young ninja was. But it was no wonder... Killing a child while you're still a child yourself and this child also had been a little brother to someone so it also effected on Leo. Goro only could imagine how it felt to Leo since Leo easily could imagine his own brothers in that child's place, begging their big bro to come to help and save him.

"Leonardo, I know my words won't brig any comfort to your sorrow but hear me out. This won't get any easier from this. It's best if you can be as insensitive as possible... And fast. When you see a target, just kill it and leave. Never have eye contact since then it will make everything more worse."

Only reply was loud sniffs and nods as Leo's arm was rubbed against those tired teary eyes and in a way Goro felt bad for him but he still would do whatever he could to help and support Leo. He would help him over this task.

--

10 long years had passed and so much blood had been spilled, so many lives taken but the task was finally completed and Leo had return back to Foot with Goro. They were greeted by other Foot members, escorted to see Shredder who stood in front of huge glass windows when the sound of knock was heard.

"Enter."

Door opened allowing Goro and Leonardo in his room. Turning around Shredder was ready pleased to see changed Leonardo. He could feel it already Leo was more colder than before.

"It has been a while, Leonardo and Goro. I assume the task is now completed."

"Yes, master."

Leo tossed piece of paper on Shredder's desk, Shredder's eyes scanning it with pleased smile behind his mask. All those names were wiped over with dry blood, most surely from each victim and it was something what sent satisfied chills down to Shredder's spine.

"Impressive. You really proved to be loyal and worthy of being a new member to Foot. Welcome to the foot clan, Leonardo."

"Thank you, Master Shredder. If you don't mind me to remind you, I wanna hear whatever you know about my missing brothers."

"Hmph, 10 long years and you never forgot them. Fine. I will keep my word, for now. Follow me. Goro, you stay here."

Goro bowed to his master who walked past him with Leonardo who silently followed his master.

"So, Leonardo, how was it?"

Instead of answering Leo just gave one simple but clear murdering gaze to his master who couldn't help back his loud laugh.

"You have changed, I like that. I have got many angry gazes from you in all of our encounters but that was the best one."

Elevator took them to base level and they headed behind one door what soon opened, revealing this huge hall full of foot ninjas and their teacher in black ninja suit. When Shredder made his presence known, all his student and their teacher stopped bowing deeply to him before teacher gave his students permission to dismiss. Shredder kept his voice down and Leonardo behind him while he told this teacher was training newcomers to become Foot ninjas and so far, in these 10 years, his ninjas skills had improve greatly.

When all students were gone Shredder gave this teacher permission to take his mask off making Leo gasp out loud behind him. That very light green skin and round face, those pretty blue eyes..

"Mikey!"

"Huh, Leo?"

In this moment Leo didn't give a damn about it was Shredder there or not as he ran to his little brother, wrapping his arms so tight around that muscular body having so wide, happy and relieved smile on his face.

"Oh, Mike! Mike... It's really you. For 10 years I have been wondering where you were and finally I have you in my arms."

Mike listened silently with smile on his face, rubbing cheeks against Leo's cheek and neck.

"Hell, bro. Been sick worried about you. Where have you been all these years?! Oh shit, never mind that! I'm just glad you're here now, brother. Gosh, been missing you so much..."

They shared long silent moment just holding each other and this started to annoy Shredder.

"Michelangelo. Leonardo. That's enough. That's sickening me. Do something useful and introduce Leonardo to our other great member."

"Oh, oh! Yes, right away, Master. Come, Leo."

Leo didn't hesitate or look back when Mike took a hold on his hand, starting to drag him after him in another room more further in the hallway, soon stopping behind another door giving playful smirk to Leo.

"You always have to enter here carefully since you never know what's expecting you on another side."

Leo raised his brow to his little brother who just chuckled and opened the door slowly and carefully, taking a peek inside. Road seemed to be clear so he pushed the door open walking in.

"Hey, doc! A visitor!"

Leo's eyes scanned this huge lab and he already had a smile on his face since he was pretty sure who he would see in there while reply echoed to Mike's sentence fro another room.

"Ugh, Mike, if this is another of your pranks I swear I'm going to make a medicine and turn you temporarily to original turtle."

Hearing second familiar voice filled his heart as this dark figure appeared to light from darker room, revealing that olive green skin.

"Donnie..."

When his name was spoken by another person than Mike, Don instantly lift his gaze on Leo dropping empty small glass bottle on the floor.

"Oh... My... Lord... Leo!"

His second little brother rushed to him, sealing Leo in loving hug burying his face against Leo's shoulder for a moment. Taking few deep inhales to calm himself with Leo's scent Don pushed himself back a bit, keeping his hands on Leo's shoulders, looking at him up and down.

"Man, it's really you! You have changed so much since I last saw you! How have you been? Where have you been?"

Leo's gentle smile eased both Mike's and Don's racing emotions as their brother pulled them both in another hug, keeping them close him. Cough from the door got their attention and they all bowed deeply to Master Shredder who stepped in the room looking slightly annoyed.

"Enough of all that already, turtles. Now that you all are here, I--"

"You're wrong."

Mike's angry and sad look stayed locked on Shredder before he rested his head back on Leo's shoulder.

"Raph's not here..."

"He's not?" Leo asked in light sadness while both of his brothers shook their heads. If Raphael wasn't here then where he could be?

"And Master Splinter's not here either." Don added.

Leo's sharp inhale made his brothers back away and they knew something was wrong right away.

"M-master Splinter... Isn't with us. He passed away some weeks after you two went missing." Don and Mike gasped in disbelief as Leo dropped his head down. "I came home from my search and found him dead in his chamber. In the next night I made coffin to him and buried him in the forest outside the city."

Leo really didn't want to look up at his brothers but he couldn't keep avoiding them either so he lift his head up, getting Mike to launch himself in Leo's arms crying silently.

"D-did Master die because we went missing? Did he die because he was so worried?"

Don stepped next to Mike and Leo, rubbing Mike's shoulder gently.

"I doubt that even that it most surely had have some influence on him and his health. But we need to remind he was old already and rats... naturally... do tempt have and die on cancer."

"I'm sure Don's right since there was a lot of dry blood on the floor what had came out from his mouth. But don't worry, we can go to visit his grave one day."

"Master Splinter..."

--

Shredder watched 3 turtle brothers hugging each others once more, hearing a silent whisper; "I wish Raph would be here...". Sighing deeply he coughed once more getting 3 pairs of eyes locked on him.

"If you really miss that other turtle so much I can tell you this; He's here and alive."

Under confused gazes his hands slowly rose, removing that metal helmet, revealing emerald green skin and gold familiar eyes, filling the room with gasps.

"RAPH?!"

--

Mike was the first who ran to his brother, hugging him and Don was right behind him, hugging Raph too despite the fact Raphael didn't seem to be over joyed about the hugs. When was Leo's turn to hug his brother Leo decided to do otherwise, letting his fist meet with Raph's cheek who lost his balance, taking few steps backward to stable himself, growling, meeting angry blue eyes.

"How dare you!? How the hell you were able to play to be Shredder all these years?! Have you no idea what the hell your stupid play made me do?! Not to forget that what the hell you did!!"

"Don't push it, Leo."

"You killed that poor woman by throwing her off on the building 10 years ago! You made me go to Japan to kill all those innocent ones 'cause you said you would kill my brothers! What the hell's wrong with your head?! How fucking sick you have become?!"

"I said don't push it, Leo! You are working for me now or have you forgot the deal?!"

"If I would had known it was you all along I never wouldn't had done that deal with you!"

"... Leo, what he's talking about?"

Smirk spread on Raph's face as he walked past Leo behind their younger brothers, placing his hands on their shoulders.

"Hm, I think he will tell you everything while you are enjoying your dinner today. You all have a lot to talk about."

"So have you."

Leo stood firmly in front of them, keeping his strict look on Raphael who's smirk was still on his face but it soon faded, turning a thin line.

"I said don't push it. You don't boss me around here. You're below me. I'm the Shredder and I rule here."

"You're not Shredder. You are Raphael, our brother, and this game of yours has got out of hands!"

Argue between Raph and Leo started to turn more intense so Don and Mike really had to step in and push those two hot heads away from each other. Raph snorted as he walked out of the room holding his helmet, leaving his brothers behind. As glad, deep inside, he was about seeing and being with his brothers, he couldn't go back to that life anymore. He now was the Shredder and he had to act like one. There was no room for gentle actions, - emotions and - thoughts in this life.