When Snow Covers The Fire (TMNT 2007)

Chapter 6: Welcome home, Leo

Meanwhile a passenger jet soars through the sky. Its landing gear extends down, clinging onto one of the sets is Leo. He looks onwards to the city he left for two years. He wondered what his brothers and Master Splinter have been doing for the past two years aside from the fact that a kunoichi has joined them for three months. He then jumps off the landing gear towards the waters below.

As he fell toward the ocean, he sprouted paraglider wings from his back and flew over the water and he got to thank Donnie for the little invention that he made. Leo lowered his hand to the water and checked the temperature. After checking that the water was in the right temperature, he dives beneath the water and swims toward a sewer outlet and to the lair he calls home.

The trip back to the lair was a quick one and he entered quietly and saw two of his younger brothers. Mikey is fast asleep on the sofa with a bar of chocolate over his eyes and holding a cushion over his chest. Donnie is also asleep with a magazine over his face. Leo couldn't help but smile watching them sleep. He was glad his brothers are okay.

He then look towards a room with the door partially opened and went towards it. Inside Splinter sits with his eyes closed before he sensed a presence that he hadn't felt in a long time and smiled slightly.

"Enter. Kneel, my son." Splinter said as Leo comes in and kneeling before Master Splinter.

But he kept his gaze down as he felt his mouth dry up quickly. He hasn't seen his sensei and father for over two years and he didn't know what to say. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

"I returned from my training, master. I was so caught up in my own world, I forgot about everyone else. I'm sorry I failed." Leo said sadly in an almost hushed tone.

Splinter shushed him gently as he stood up from his spot.

"Shh. On the contrary, my son. Now you are much stronger. Your strength is needed here now. You owe me no apology but perhaps you should talk to Raphael. Your absence has been particularly difficult for him." Splinter told him as Leo stood up.

Splinter walked to a box on another table and took out what looked like a medallion and walked towards Leo and gave it to him who held it in his hands as he looked it at.

Raph just came back after leaving Miyuki's apartment before hearing voices in Master Splinter's room. He walked towards it and watched from the doorway. His eyes widened to see that Leo is finally back home. He knows that he should be happy but how could he be happy when it has been 2 years after he left.

"Though, he'll never admit it." Splinter said as Leo nodded with a small smile.

"I'm certain things will be back to normal in no time, master." Leo promised.

"Good, because until you can act as one, you are forbidden to fight." Splinter told him and Leo nodded.

"Yes, sensei." He nodded before Splinter hugged him which he returned.

"I have missed you, Leonardo." Splinter said as Leo felt tears well up in his eyes.

"I've missed you too, father." He replied as he kept his voice steady.

The two pulled away as Splinter turned towards the door with a knowing look.

"Raphael, your brother is home." Splinter said as Leo turned to the door to see Raph come into view.

"Hey." Leo greeted with a warm and hesitant smile.

"Hey. Uh, welcome home." Raph greeted back with the equal amount of hesitation.

"Yeah. Thanks." Leo smiled a little more as Raph nodded.

"Well, I'm going to bed." Raph said as he let out another yawn.

He may want to go to bed but he sure as heck won't be able to sleep properly after what happened earlier.

Leo just shook his head fondly as Raph disappeared from view as he turned to Master Splinter.

"Sensei, April said you were training a kunoichi for the past three months. And I didn't see her when I arrived." Leo said curiously and Splinter couldn't help but chuckle.

"Do not worry. You'll meet her eventually. Now go and greet your brothers." Splinter told him and pats his shoulder.

Leo smiled as he went out of the dojo.

Raph passes a sleeping Donnie on his way to his bedroom while knocking the magazine off his face and waking him up.

"Hey, Leo's back. Better go say hello before he leaves again." Raph said as Donnie blinked in surprise.

"What?" Donnie muttered in confusion before he turned and his eyes widened in surprise and he jumped to his feet.

"Leo!" Donnie exclaimed in joy and gave him a hug as Leo gave his little brother a noogie.

"Hey!" Leo laugh happily.

The commotion woke Mikey up and he was really happy and in disbelief that his brother is finally home.

"Huh? Leo? Is that really you?" Mikey asked as he fell over and quickly hugged him around his waist as Leo chuckled.

"I'm like dreaming aren't I?" Mikey said as Leo gave Donnie a confused look who just shrug with a smile.

"No, Mikey, you're not dreaming." Leo reassured him as Mikey sighed in relief.

"Oh, good. I have nightmares about birthday parties." Mikey said as he hug his brother more, afraid that he might leave again.

Raph watch the three of his brothers from the top levels as he crossed his arms. Sure, he's glad that Leo is back home but he wasn't sure how his big brother would react if the kunoichi that splinter was training is a human girl.