This took much longer than it should have. Apologies.

This chapter is a mix of deleted scenes I'd written before, and ideas that spawned from Raigon's request of "the night the everyone was home". It takes place several hours after the end of the final chapter in Tortured Souls.

Thank you for the suggestion, Raigon. This one's for you.

Aftermath

Tortured Souls One-Shots

IV. Splinter

Splinter ran a hand down Leonardo's forehead, his own brow furrowing with concern at how warm it felt. He watched his son's chest rise and fall in halted rhythm, noting how shallow each inhale sounded. Inevitably, his eyes moved to the bandages covering his eldest's body, holding in a shudder of fear that snaked it's way through his limbs. The damage that had been done was immense, and given what it took for Donatello to repair it all, Splinter could think of no other word to describe his son's return than 'miraculous'. It was a dagger twisting in his heart to think of what had caused such injuries. To think of what pain his son had been in all this time. What pain he was still experiencing. But Splinter reminded himself that such things paled in comparison to the relief of having his children all home. Safe.

Leonardo was alive. The agonizing grief Splinter had experienced these past few weeks could finally begin to repair, and he refused to relinquish such comfort, even in the face of such concerning circumstances.

A stifled moan from his second eldest brought his mind back to the room. Raphael was gripping his shoulder, attempting not to wear the pain on his face. He glanced to his left to see Michelangelo bobbing his head, fighting to stay awake amidst the weariness. And as always, Donatello paced his worry, checking vitals, replacing saline, and doing all he could to ignore the exhaustion his body was throwing at him.

His family may be home, but they were not healed.

A pang of guilt had Splinter straightening his back to hide a grimace. His enemy had done this. His nemesis. Tormented his children to get to him. It was not new, Splinter had seen his sons hurt by Saki's rage before, but it had never gone this far. It had never hurt them so wholly. Cut them so deep.

Splinter shook his head. Such dismal thoughts were not useful. Guilt would not heal his children. Worry would not take away their pain.

Glancing down again, Splinter placed a gentle hand on his eldest's cheek, stroking it fondly.

"He's going to be alright, Sensei."

Donatello's voice brought Splinter from the memories that had begun to dance around him. He looked up to his children staring at him with worry in their eyes, and realized he had been wearing his pain on his sleeve. Blinking away the powerful emotions, he offered his sons a tentative smile. "Yes he will." But he could see the doubt in their eyes.

They could not afford to lose hope. Not when they had come so far.

"There is no need to fear, my sons. Saki's hate may know no bounds, but it cannot reach us here. Your strength, determination, and will have brought you all home, and it is such qualities that will allow Leonardo to heal."

The doubt and worry still lingered in their faces, but all three of his children moved closer to place a hand on their elder brother, lending their strength in the only way they could. A pulse of warmth brought a smile to Splinters face as he watched his sons, clinging to each other for comfort and stability. Moments like this reminded him how truly blessed he was to be a part of such a family.

"He didn't break once."

Donnie's tentative voice brought the room's attention to him. It was the first time he'd spoken since stitching Leo up. "Shredder stared him down every time he came in the room, and Leo never flinched. He was calm and collected and even when we were being taken away one by one, he didn't lose his head." Don gripped the blanket near Leo's legs to steady himself as he spoke, using every ounce of energy to prevent his mind from going back to the memory of how he'd shouted at his older brother. "…He never lost hope. Not once."

"He was unbreakable, that's for sure. I don't think we'd have made it through that first day if he hadn't been there to keep us calm."

While Mikey gripped Leonardo's hand tighter, Splinter watched in surprise as Rapheal turn to him and spoke with a rare gentleness in his tone. "You'd have been proud of him, Sensei. He was a perfect leader."

Splinter smiled down at his eldest's closed eyes. It was no surprise his son had acted as he did; Leonardo had always been good at compartmentalization. And his determination and strategy were beyond compare. But such qualities were not what made Splinter proud in that moment. It was the way his three younger children spoke of their leader, the admiration and loyalty in their voices, that made him beam. His sons may not always get along, but in moments like this Splinter could see how much they truly loved each other. And that would be enough for any parent.

"I am proud, Raphael. Of all my children. For you have not only managed to endure the terrors of our enemies, but you have done so together. Events such as this can tear relationships apart with fear and guilt, but you have all drawn closer to each other, finding strength in your bond as a team and a family." He placed a hand on Raphael's shell, looking each of his children in the eyes. "And you have come home, and kept an old rat from living a very lonely life. For that, I am forever grateful."

A lump began to form in Splinter's throat as he looked upon his children and the many bandages that covered their bodies. The terror of what nearly happened still shook his bones, and the more time he spent with his family, the more grateful he felt at having them still with him.

A sudden shift of weight beside him caught his attention, and Splinter noticed Raphael leaning further into his touch so they were almost leaning on one another as his son spoke under his breath. "We missed you too, Sensei."

Splinter wrapped his arm further around his son's shell, smiling at all the loving eyes staring at him. "Oh, my sons…" He placed a hand on Michelangelo's shoulder, who moved in to wrap his arms around Splinter's chest as Don stood closer to Raph with a hand on his shell. "There are no words."

The four of them stayed in their huddled-hug, content to draw strength from each other as the minutes ticked by. A tender smile crossed Splinters lips as he held his children close, enjoying the warmth they brought to his heart. Having them home once more brought joy to his spirit, and he was sure not to take such a moment for granted.

A moment that gave him strength to keep faith.

Whole-heartedly he believed that his eldest was strong enough to fight his way home. Leonardo would recover and their world would be complete once more. He felt it in every fiber of his being.

As Michelangelo and Raphael began to doze off beside him, Splinter moved his arm from around his second eldest to place a hand on Leonardo's forehead, stroking it tenderly once more. "Soon." He whispered, feeling hope brighten his soul at long last.

Soon we will be whole again.

10 Months Later

"Leonardo."

Leo bounded around the room, fending off imaginary enemies with seemingly every kata and technique he'd ever been taught. His eyes were narrow as slits, but Splinter could still see the fear in them. "Leonardo." But the turtle was lost in whatever fight his mind was concocting. Taking a step forward to make his presence known, Splinter suddenly found himself pivoting wide when a sword swiped right at his face, his hand stopping it mere inches from his temple. "My son."

Leo froze as he was, taking a moment to come back to his senses before pulling the katana away from his father's face with wide apologetic eyes. "Sensei! I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in." He was out of breath, puffing from over exertion, and splinter noticed his only hand was trembling as it held the sword. "How's Mikey? Is he—?"

"—Resting. Donatello assessed his injuries and has concluded your brother will wake with no more damage than an extreme headache." The stifled sigh of relief was worrisome. Leonardo still looked as wired as he had when Splinter entered the dojo. "Donatello wished for me to convey that the injuries would have been worse had you not rushed Michelangelo home so swiftly."

But his son only frowned, turning away to walk back to the center of the room, preparing for another kata. Splinter knew that look on his face: disappointment. Leonardo was blaming himself for more than the night's events.

Had been doing so every since he'd recovered.

Without a word, Splinter moved to the other side of the room, prying a sword from it's display on the wall, and stood opposite his eldest, sword at the ready.

"Sensei?"

Splinter only sunk deeper into his stance, waiting patiently as his son overcame his inner battle and finally relented, taking a similar position with his sword raised.

A moment of stillness. Silence.

Strike.

Leonardo brought his katana up to block an attack by his Sensei, eyes following his opponents every move.

Splinter observed the movements of his eldest, the way his eyes saw every strike, predicted every move, and countered in the most strategic ways. But even as he advanced, even as he forced Splinter to attack in earnest, the disappointment did not leave his features. It was hidden behind anger, frustration, and fear, but to Splinter, it was as plain as the scars on his son's face.

"You have improved greatly, my son. I am impressed with your progress."

"Don't." Leo's curt reply was cut between pants for air as sweat trickled down his brow. "Don't say that when it's not true. I haven't improved at all!"

Splinter blocked as his son's attacks became more intense, building speed and power with every strike. He could see the pain behind his son's eyes growing, and it wasn't from the blood seeping from his stumped shoulder. "You were gravely injured, my son. The fact that you are able to fight at all is—"

"It's not enough!" Leo spun around, throwing an attack towards his Sensei's unprotected left side, barely allowing him the chance to block low. "It's been almost a year and it's still not enough! I'm still…" His sentence fell off as his sword began to tremble.

Splinter moved swiftly as his son's sword cleaved the air beside his right shoulder. He turned about as fast as his legs would allow, catching Leonardo's blade just as it swiped at his chest. Splinter narrowed his eyes; it wouldn't be long now. "What happened tonight was not your fault. Michelangelo—"

"—Only got hurt because he was protecting me! Because I wasn't able to protect myself!"

"Would you not have done the same for him?"

"That's different."

"How so?"

"Because it's my job!" Leo shouted, throwing another strike from below. "I keep them safe at all costs, not the other way around! Because I'm the oldest! I'm supposed to be the leader! And I can't even—AAH!"

Leo's frustration came full throttle, swiping down in an attack so intense he could have split through the concrete. Splinter caught the blade between both his hands, holding it as his son trembled.

The damn was finally bursting.

"They're my younger brothers, Sensei. You told me to protect them… I have to protect them. I can't even imagine a world where they…" His voice shook as much as his body, and finally his knees buckled beneath him and found the floor. "They're not supposed to get hurt for me, Sensei. I'm not supposed to need their protection. I'm supposed to lead them. Keep them safe. And I can't do that. Not with this." He gripped his right shoulder, eyes closing to keep his emotions from falling out. "I keep failing! I keep failing myself, I keep failing them, and I—" Leo looked up at his Father, eyes bleeding shame and guilt. "I keep failing you."

His son's expression was heartrending. But Splinter remained silent, waiting as Leo's gaze fell to the floor, shoulders drooping from the weight of regret that pressed on him continuously.

"I don't know what to do! I don't know what to do if I can't be out there with them! If I can't…" Leo choked on a lump in his throat before continuing. "Protecting them is all I've ever known. All I've ever wanted. If I can't do that…" He brought his hand to his face, covering the pain twisted in his features. "I'm sorry." This was ridiculous. How far he had fallen in only one year…

Splinter tossed the katana aside, kneeling in front of his eldest. "Leonardo, look at me." His tone was adamant, but gentle, bringing his son's eyes to his, albeit reluctantly. "My son, you have failed no one. You saved your brothers' lives in that prison, at great personal cost," He placed a tender hand on his son's stumped shoulder. "and have worked diligently to regain what strength was lost."

"But—"

"Leonardo," Splinter offered a fond smile. "The qualities you possess that make you a great leader have not diminished. They cannot be taken by the loss of an arm. You are more than your skill and physical prowess. . This—" He gestured towards the stumped shoulder. "—is merely an obstacle. One I am certain you will overcome, as you always do. And until then, there is no shame in allowing yourself to be helped by others."

Seeing his son's breath hitch with uncertainty and doubt, Splinter knew this was not an issue he could solve in an instant. But he could at least offer one last piece of advice. "My son, you cannot move on if you cling to what was lost. Set it aside. Focus on finding the qualities beyond the physical that make you a great leader."

There was a lengthy pause as Leonardo clearly warred over whether or not to speak again. "Sensei…" His head fell as his shoulders quaked, fighting to keep himself in check. He let his head rest on his father's chest, drawing closer to Splinter's embrace and breathing deep to keep his emotions at bay as he finally asked the question that had plagued and scared him since he woke to a missing limb. "…What if I can't protect them anymore?"

Finally.

Splinter placed a hand on the back of his son's head, fervently hoping his words could permeate Leo's self shame. "You have always found a way. I know you will again." His son practically radiated doubt, so Splinter cupped his eldest's chin in his paw, staring into his dark blue eyes. "Let go of your doubt, Leonardo. Believe in yourself. As your brothers believe in you. As I believe in you."

Leo stared a moment before drawing his hands into fists and shakily replying, "Hai, Sensei." He bowed his head respectfully, taking a deep breath. Splinter thought his son was composing himself when all of a sudden he was drawn into a tight hug, trembling arms holding him close and a meek voice whispering, "Thanks, Dad."

Splinter smiled helplessly, wrapping his arms around Leo's shell. So many things floated on his tongue to express to his son, but the moment was so overwhelmingly comforting, he didn't want to disturb it. When finally Leo pulled from the embrace, he was greeted with a paw to his cheek as Splinter smiled warmly. "I am proud of you, Leonardo. So very proud."

Leo smiled, and Splinter could see the shame was still in his eyes, as was the disappointment and fear. But there was light in them again. Hope. Determination. And with his eldest, that small spark was all that was needed to build on. Splinter couldn't help but beam, trying to hide it behind a simple grin as he helped his son stand.

"Go to your brothers. Let Donatello take a look at your shoulder."

Leo nodded, about to pick up his katana to put it away when he heard his name shouted in fear.

"Leo!"

Both turtle and Master turned to see the younger siblings in the doorway of the dojo, Raph and Don keeping Mikey steady as he walked.

"Mikey?" Leo blinked, worry jumping into his features instantly as he laid eyes on the bandages around his head.

"You're alright!" The young turtle pulled away from the others, staggering over to Leo who caught him in his arms, holding him upright.

"Mikey, what are you—"

"I thought… I thought you were…" Mikey buried his face into his brother's plastron, gripping him tight, as though holding on for dear life.

Leo looked down at the youngest's terrified form before glancing at Don with confused eyes.

"His concussion gave him a pretty bad nightmare." Don answered the silent question. "Said he had to see you for himself to make sure you were alright."

"I tried to tell him you were fine. That was one hell of a can of whoop-ass you opened on those Foot after he went down." Raph crossed his arms as he leaned on the door frame, unable to keep himself from grinning at the memory.

Leo placed his hand on his brother's head, drawing his attention. "I'm OK, Mikey. Thanks to you." And you got hurt because of it. But the youngest refused to let go. Leo glanced at his Sensei, closing his eyes and sighing a deep breath.

Let the doubt go. Believe. As they believe.

"It's OK, little brother. I told you," He pulled Mikey closer, grateful for the presence of his family around him.

"I'm not going anywhere."

I believe that's all she wrote. While I retain the right to add a chapter if inspiration strikes me in the future, it's safe to say I'm done with this story. As I'm sure all of you are, as well.

Comments and Critique are always welcome.

End of Line.

-TRAaP