Specimen 1

Disclaimer: Own them? I would if I could but I can't so I won't.

Three years. Three long years since he had last seen his eldest son. Two years with no word. One year since he had detected even a hint of that longed for presence in his meditations. He could deny it no longer, Leonardo must be dead. Now to tell his remaining sons what he had been forced to conclude. It would not be pretty.

Donatello had not faired well under the burden of leadership. In fact, he was leader only in title now. Most of the purple genius' time was now spent working on the phone or making repairs to their home. He had withdrawn from the family and only Michaelangelo seemed to be able to draw him into any conversation at all.

His youngest son had become so quiet. It was a bitter pill to swallow, how many times he had wished for the boy to be more still, more silent, more mature. Now he longed for the laughter and teasing that had once been so common. The light was still there, he still acted young and silly for his work entertaining small children, but at home he was as a lamp under a shade.

Raphael. Raphael was rarely seen. Since it had been revealed that he was patrolling alone at night as the Nightwatcher, he was only at home to sleep and eat. Occasionally he would bring home the monies taken from drug deals interrupted to help support his family, but the only one he really spoke to any longer was Casey Jones. April assured Splinter that she spoke to him as well and believed he was reaching a point that he wished to reconnect with his family once more. Splinter feared that his decision to declare Leonardo dead would drive Raphael away into the night again.

But it had to be done. There could be no healing until the sore was lanced. It would be painful, but hopefully the family would finally be able to move on afterwards. The old rat picked up the blue mask his eldest had left behind and warily stood to leave his room.

It was time, he slid back the door, raised his head and stepped into the future.