Remember. [TMNT 2012]

Chapter 31; Leonardo

Song: The Kids Aren't Alright - Fall Out Boy

Getting back to the lair is more of a chore than fighting millions of antagonists. We are wounded mentally and physically, and every step is excruciating. We all either limp independently, or lean heavily on one another.

   I am one of those who should be supported by someone else. Instead, I respond to my leader instincts and scout the quickest way home. I travel several meters ahead and come back to report which way we should take.

   Donatello, who is strong enough to walk on his own, stops me before I walk ahead for the fifth time this night.

   "You don't need to do this," he says anxiously. "You've already walked twice as far as we have. Your wounds haven't clotted, so you're still losing blood. You need to relax, Leo, before you harm yourself even more."

   Now that he mentions it, I am feeling a bit light-headed from lack of blood. And my feet are aching. I consider listening to him, but my team's safety comes first.

   "I'll be fine," I reply determinedly. I have to continue ignoring Donatello's disapproving looks for the remainder of the trip.

   Once we're home, Elizabetta, Raphael, and Michelangelo all crash on the couch. Donatello goes to get the first-aid kit from his lab. I would have gone with him, if he didn't stare me down until I take a seat beside the others.

   Noticing I'm next to Elizabetta, I look at her and smile faintly. She returns the smile distractedly, and I'm suddenly curious as to what is on her mind.

   "Are you alright, Lizzy?" I ask her.

   "Yeah," she mutters unconvincingly. Her green eyes avoid making contact with mine.

   I bite my lip. I know how it feels to have the Shredder kill your confidence. Even though it's over, it's like it never ended, because I constantly spend time wondering if I could have beaten him; if I can train hard enough to finally put an end to his destructive nature. I have yet to come up with an answer, and I know she must be feeling the same.

   Losing her family isn't any better. Through her tear-stained cheeks, there is hope that her brother survived the explosion and her mother will be safe with her dad. But deep down, she knows that isn't true. They're both gone again. And it kills me to admit that.

   Donatello returned with three newcomers: Master Splinter, Casey, and April. April sets to work helping the purple-clad turtle clean and bandage our wounds, while Master Splinter observes us from far away. Casey complains loudly to kill the mood.

   "I can't believe you guys went to TCRI without me!" he whines. "I could have helped you whip their butts out of existence!"

   "It's not that simple." Donatello sounds overly annoyed. They've obviously been discussing this since he stepped into his lab. "We were outnumbered way more than usual."

   "So?" Casey argues. "You're trained to take on tons of enemies at once!"

   "Might I add that the Shredder was there?"

   "I could have destroyed him, too!" Casey insists.

   "Yeah," Raphael snorts and rolls his eyes. "You try that. I'd like to see what shape he bends you into."

   Casey shoots him a glare, but it isn't ruthless. It's one that two friends would share to tease each other. "Still," his voice is less pushy and more relieved. "I'm glad you guys got home safe. Explosives are some nasty stuff."

   The room falls silent while Donatello and April patch us up. Though I'm in pain, I force them to take care of the others before they fix me.

   I grit my teeth as Donatello cleans the three, large wounds on my arm. The antiseptics sting at first, but it is quickly replaced with relief. I relax into the couch as my brother wraps my arm in bandages.