For everyone to know. This is the second last chapter. Leo centric again.
A lot of Leo fans will probably hate me for this. I hate me for this.
Master Splinter, than Leo pov's. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 19

When my sons and I made it home, we rested Leonardo on the couch immediately. He was in need of medical attention as soon as possible. I wish I could have helped but Donatello was the most experienced of all of us, so all I could do was watch as Leonardo's Leo was bandaged. The room was filled with silence, the only noise was the wrapping of the cloth and the every now and again breathing. There was more silence, even after the wrapping had subsided. There was nothing we could say.

Raphael had the courage to speak first. "Thanks for leaving us that trail, and I'm glad your back." He smiled with much compassion towards his elder brother.

Leonardo looked up at his younger brother with a cheeky eyebrow raised. "What trail? I didn't leave a trail."

Michelangelo spoke before his brother had even opened his mouth. " You know. The Album, the letter, the bracelet and the diary. See." He motioned with his hand to all the items found earlier that night. Leonardo's eyes shot open and become as wide as cartwheels.

"YOU READ MY JOURNAL!?"

Donatello raised his hands like that if he was a cowboy that was about to be shot "Hey, it was only to find out what you really thought of us. And it was nice to know you think of us like you did. I mean out of all creatures, you described me as a courageous tiger.

"Me, the fearless hawk." Michelangelo said with much pride in his voice.

"And you and I are both lone wolves." Raphael smile grew a lot bigger in that one second.

Leonardo gained a mischievous smile on his face. "Maybe I should have called you all spying monkeys."

The silence was broken by a lot of chatting about how that statement is incorrect. I can not help but smile.

I have all of my sons back.

Raphael's face looked at me with a pleading glint in his eyes. I nodded, only partially knowing what he was about to do. He left to my room and came back out with the medallion that was meant for Leonardo when he returned.

"Leo, you deserve this." He held out the medalion so that my eldest may take it from him.

Leonardo shook his head, while grinning. "No Raphael. I'm not going back on my word. I said you were the best leader, and I wasn't lying."

"When did this happen?" I asked my 4 reptilian sons.

"Long story sensei, but to stop a feud, how about we all share the leader responsibility. I did it, Raph did it, Mikey will do it in future and Leo does it all the time. That seems fair. We all share the responsibility." Donatello grabbed the clothe of the medallion without taking it from his elder brother.

Michelangelo said, "That seems pretty fair." He also did the exact same action as his brother.

Leonardo gazed at all of his brothers, rolled his eyes and gave in to his family. "Can't be much of a leader if you don't respect your comrades choices."

He grabbed the clothe as well and I can not help but think

From now, don't send your brothers away alone. This is to much of a happy family for them to be torn apart.

And this old heart will not lose another son.

If so, it will be over my lifeless body.

"My sons, it is time that we rest." My sons all agreed with me, and helped me place a blanket over Leonardo. Before leaving for his bedroom, I heard Raphael speak to Leonardo.

"Leo, you need anything, just call O.K."

"Don't worry, I'm certain you'll hear my scream of pain from all the way up there."

Yes, this family should never separate again. It's not enjoyable, otherwise.

Late that night, I stayed wide awake, waiting for the pain to pass. It was boring as well as mind bending. From what my brothers have told me, they have been finding my letter, bracelet and album, with everything else it was a habit I wasn't going to get out of. I mean, it has kept me sane for 15 years hasn't it. I picked up a piece of paper and a pencil, stifling my grunts and groans in the process. I also got "The art of war' book to rest the paper on. It all starts with one word. And so, I began to write...

Hello to everyone who reads this.

I maybe in alot of pain at the moment, but that won't stop me from writing this message.

This is for youRaphael, Michelangelo and Donatello.

'Though we are not certain

how close of brothers we truly are

please know that we are family

In our deepest hearts.

We are ninjas.

We fight for good.

This is something

Few people have understood.

We are family, brothers

We share an unbreakable bond

that will stay with us this lifetime and beyond.

I thank-you for support

I thank-you for respect

But there is something I must not deny

You guys are the best.'

I hope you guys find this message and never forget it. This is something for the depths of my heart

Your brother in arms and not-so-fearless leader,

Leonardo

I finally put down my pen and lied the note to rest under the couch. Sooner or later the guys would have to find it. I smiled as I drifted to sleep.

I would like to thank the following for always reviewing and have been with us every step of the way:

xS.E.Raglandx

BigfootSighted

NightwatchersOnlyGirl

deathoftoast

Simone Robinson

Eridani23

Thank you all for reviewing and giving me the strength to keep on writing. I look at all of you with pride and I hope many see you all that way. Your stories and your reviews inspire many. And I would like to say that all of you are really special, even all the people who do not reveiw or anything, I hope you know that you are known and you inspire many. Best wishes to all of you. Remember a story of some parts in this story will be revealed in my new story 'The smallest things mean a lot.' Hope you enjoy that story like you enjoyed this one.

As Mikey would say "Later Dudes and dudettes. Bye"