After Leo’s little confession Raphael and Alfred started to spend more time with their master, just like Leo started to seek them more often to have company. However there still seemed to be times when Leonardo cried. Sometimes either Alfred or Raphael heard him cry in his room or when they met Leo, he had reddish watery eyes. But luckily none of them never said a word about them to Leo. It wasn’t important anyway. What was important was to cheer Leo up and be there for him.
“Don’t worry too much, Raphael. This happens every year during this time of the year. It will pass.” Alfred was assuring and Raphael believed him, but it still worried him that Leonardo was acting like this. There has to be something.
“I know that look.” Alfred said as he filled Raphael’s mug with hot water. “You are thinking there’s something else.”
Putting hot cocoa powder in his hot water with sugar and milk, Raphael eyed Alfred who sat down around small table across him. “There has to be something more and you know it.”
Taking a sip from his coffee Alfred sighed. “Yes, there is more, but I am not going to betray my master’s trust and tell you about it.”
“Damn it, Alfred!” Raphael growled and hissed silently as he leaned over the table towards old butler. “He’s acting weird. Like he’s depressed or something and you keep your mouth shut. Have you seen him? I haven’t been here more than some months, but I’m not blind or stupid. All this time what I’ve been here I haven’t seen him go outside. Only then when he came to greet me when I came to ask a job. Otherwise he, most of his time, sits somewhere inside, hiding.”
“I’m fully aware of it without your harsh language. I have try to make him go out. Go to garden to sunbath or come with me to stores. But no, he doesn’t want to.”
“Hmph, do I need to carry him out then?”
“As hilarious as that most surely would be, I am against it.”
“Then what should we do? It’s not healthy to just sit inside the house 24/7 with your own thoughts.”
“I think there’s nothing what we can do, except give master his time.”
“Like you’ve done years? How it has been working out?”
Lifting his eyebrow Alfred eyed slightly angry turtle who still was right in front of his face. Staring old man a moment Raphael pulled away, sinking deep in his chair. “Come on, Alf. Help me out here. There gotta be something we could try to cheer him and help him to recover from his depression – or whatever it is. Does he have any hobbies what we could use?”
Taking another sip gave Alfred a moment to think. With small clank he placed a cup on small plate. “What I know he used to read a lot, but I don’t see how we could use that.”
“We could start to read for him. Or get him some of those story books with recorded reading. You know what I’m saying.”
“Ah, yes. I have heard of such things. However, I doubt there’s any talking books about the issues what master would like.”
“Ugh, fine then. What else?”
“Master used to train daily.”
“Train what?”
“Meditation and fighting.”
“Can’t you be more SPECIFIC?”
“Ninjutsu.”
Raphael froze. He stared old man with wide eye, until smile started to spread on his face. “That’s it. That’s it, Alfred! We will get him back on training.”
Shaking his head Alfred sighed. “I’m sorry, but I have tried and it was futile.”
Snorting Raphael looked as cocky as ever, crossing arms over his chest while lifting right leg on the left. “Because you missed something important.” Leaning towards the old man again Raphael smirked. “I have an idea, but I need your help.”
**
Sounds of loud argument were heard all the way in Leonardo’s room where the turtle sat on the chair, bathing in sunlight. Jumping up in confusion Leonardo rushed on the main floor, finding Raphael and Alfred arguing.
“What’s going on here? You two are keeping horrible noise.”
“Master, it’s not my fault. It’s the brute here.”
“Oh yeah, right! Keep blaming me and all that shit!”
“Language.”
“I will shove my language there where the sun doesn’t shi--!”
“Perhaps you should go outside to calm down.”
Raphael growled as he stepped right in front of Alfred, snarling at him. He was a terrifying sight. Looking past Raphael, Alfred sighed. “Master, please. Can you tell this brute to go outside to calm down?”
“Raphael. I have no clue what is going on, but I think it’s for everyone’s best if you go outside to calm down. Come back inside when you feel calm enough to behave.”
Raphael smirked as he kept standing in Alfred’s personal space, winking at him once. Growling he backed away; “As you wish… Master.” And he marched out of the room with heavy steps, shutting the front door harder than usually.
Sighing Leonardo listened after the other turtle, then slowly coming to his butler. “Are you alright? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“Oh no, I’m fine, thank you. He just uses harsh words, but he never raises his fists.”
“Thank God for that. What was that all about anyway? I never haven’t hear him so angry before.”
“Maybe he just got out of the bed with wrong foot. We all have those days every now and then, sir.”
“Hmh, perhaps you’re right. But still...”
Alfred smiled even that he knew his smile was not seen. “Now that young master is here, can I serve you something?”
“Thank you, but I will go back in my room while sun still shines there.”
“But, master, while I don’t wish to argue with you or anything, wouldn’t you rather sit in the living room with me and enjoy some tea? Like we normally do. Sun shines there too so you can enjoy your sun bathing there as well.”
“Alfred, I...”
“Please, Master. I rarely ask anything from you so wouldn’t you grand this wish of an old man?”
There was hope and slight sadness in Alfred’s voice – and it stung hard and deep in Leo’s heart. He knew he was treating Alfred bad currently, but he couldn’t refuse since Alfred was his dear friend. Leonardo would do anything for him. Smiling Leonardo landed his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“Of course, dear friend. Anything for you.”
“Thank you, sir. You’re so kind. Here, let me escort you in the living room first. Then I shall make some tea.”
They chatted happily while walking towards the living room, finally entering in it. It was huge and tall room with big glass doors towards the garden and backyard. There was big fireplace made of stone, big soft furniture, fuzzy carpet to tickle feet, TV, aquarium and small indoor fountain with big plants. Big chandelier lightened easily the room with smaller mood lights and candles during autumn and winter. Long red curtains reached towards the floor as they swung slightly with the air which entered the room between the small gap between opened doors.
Leonardo sat on his chair, having small separated table just for him next to it. Sun shined directly on this spot and Leonardo closed his eyes with a sigh. Sun felt so nice on his old body. Alfred left him there and as he came in the kitchen to make some tea, he spotted Raphael behind the window. Showing “ok” hand signal to Raphael, the turtle nodded and disappeared.
After tea was made and places in a pot on the tray with some snacks and dishes, Alfred made his way back to the living room. Leonardo was still on his chair eyes closed, breathing steady. Alfred started to worry that perhaps his master had fallen asleep. When he placed tray on bigger living room table, Leonardo opened his eyes, turning to face Alfred.
“I’m sorry if I disturbed your nap, sir.”
“No, you didn’t.” Taking a deep inhale Leonardo smiled, closing his eyes. “I smell something yummy.”
“Apple pie, just for you, sir.”
“You are spoiling me. You know I love apple pies. Especially yours.”
“I want to be a good butler and serve you with the best.”
“And that, dear friend, you surely do.”
After serving for both of them Alfred sat on the couch, close to Leonardo. They chatted as they enjoyed their tea and pie, when Alfred suddenly stopped. Leonardo sensed the change in his butler’s mood. Placing his cup and empty plate on the table next to him, Leonardo scowled with worry on his face.
“Is everything alright?”
“Oh yes. I’m just slightly surprised. When you sent that *ahem* brute outside to calm down, I thought he’d had gone break stuff in the garden, for example, but he’s there and he seems to be… training.”
“Training? Like meditation?”
“Meditation? Master, please, don’t make me laugh. We both know our brute has way too tempered nature for such delicate thing as meditation.”
“Then what is he doing?”
“Katas. Ninjutsu. Something what you used to do, sir.”
Small spoon fell from Leonardo’s hold, clanking against the floor. There was shock and disbelief on Leonardo’s face. “Nin-- Ninjutsu?”
“Yes.”
Leonardo remembered Raphael saying, in the past, that he had fought in his younger years to earn money and survive, but ninjutsu… Leonardo stood up, turning to face huge glass doors. “What is he doing now? Where is he exactly?”
“He is doing slow katas, sir. It seems he might be trying to calm himself down with them. And his location is at 11 o’clock from your spot.”
There suddenly was new posture on Leonardo’s body, new brightness shining in his eyes. “Good.” He said and left. Alfred smiled to himself, sitting on the chair to enjoy the remains of his pie.
**
Raphael kept his eye open, looking for all around slightly to see if anyone was approaching him while he was doing his katas. He did them slow as warm ups. He heard no steps, but years of training to learn to trust and listen his instincts and intuition paid off when Leonardo suddenly attacked on him from behind. Dodging easily Raphael jumped a bit further, turning to face the turtle who now wore knee high hakamas. They were white with black koi carp prints on them. And that was basically all what he has time to check when Leonardo was coming at him again. And he seemed serious.
“Need a warm up?”
“No.” Leonardo almost groaned. “Let’s go.” And they did. Raphael had thought to take it easy, but since Leonardo was coming at him with everything what he had, Raph didn’t had any chances on going easy on another turtle. Have it his way then.
Inside the house Alfred watched both amazed and pleased as the two old turtles sparred. It looked like if they had sparred with each other their whole lives. And the spark in Leonardo’s eyes. It was the most wonderful thing to see.
Small rocks flied out of the way as turtles clashed together, blocking and hitting. Leonardo was panting harder already, but it was no wonder since, what Alfred had said earlier, this is something what Leonardo had used to do, but how long time ago? It could had been years when he had trained last time. Sweat drops rushed down on their skin as hot afternoon sun shined directly on them and at times it shined right at Raphael’s eye. He made a grunt or cursed every time when it happened, and Leonardo knew he had his chance. Just like now. His fist was coming straight at Raphael’s throat, but old turtle sensed it, dodging it easily. He grabbed Leo’s arm in his armpit, quickly moving behind Leo’s body twisting his trapped arm, wrapping his free arm under Leonardo’s chest, holding him still.
If he’d had have better stamina Leonardo would had fought back, but when he felt being held like this he relaxed, dropping his head backwards on Raphael’s shoulder. Eyes gently shut Leonardo panted hard with open mouth, sweat drops rolling down fast. His chest was waving heavily and Raphael couldn’t help but to watch it. Leonardo’s neck was also right there – right in front of his eye. And that beautiful face, open mouth… The sounds what Leonardo made while breathing, his body tightly against Raphael’s in a tight hold. The scent what came off from another turtle with the sweat... These all were things what Raphael hadn’t seen or noticed before – it was confusing, perhaps a little embarrassing, but he had to admit it to himself; He liked what he saw, smelled and felt in this moment.
Leonardo’s small gentle laugh snapped his mind back to reality. “Oh wow. Thank you, Raphael. That was amazing. I never realized how much… I actually had missed training.” Opening his eyes Leo smiled up to the sky. “I feel like life is rushing in my veins again. In me.”
To this Raphael only nodded slightly, carefully pushing his face closer to Leo’s head without realizing it. “I’m glad you feel that way. Alfred and I have been hell worried about you.”
“Really? I’m sorry. But I will not worry either one of you anymore. I will start to train again, all thanks to yo--” As he said his last sentence Leonardo turned his head towards Raphael’s, pressing his beak against the other beak. Instantly Leonardo pulled away, turning his face away but Raphael followed his head a bit. His instincts were screaming him to nuzzle against that green neck, but he fought against the urge. He told himself to pull himself together – which he did.
“S-sorry. I didn’t realize you were so close.”
“No worries. I rather take a beak push any day than a fist on my face.”
Leonardo smiled again, turning his head more slow and carefully this time. There was such warmth in his smile and he looked like if he was shining. Perhaps life, indeed, had started to rush in his veins again. It’s not like it wasn’t there before, it was, but it was sleeping under depression. A simple, but serious, sparring had awoke that life energy again – and Raphael couldn’t be more happier and proud.
Still keeping Leonardo in his arms Raphael spoke softly. “Are you okay after all that? Can you walk or do I need to carry you? Not that I would mind.”
Leonardo chuckled, untying himself from Raphael’s hold. “I am most fine. But stay near me just in case if my legs give in.”
“As you wish.”
Walking slowly side by side towards the backyard doors they both wore a smile. Leonardo kept his gaze down while Raphael looked forward, seeing Alfred behind the glass door giving him a thumb’s up with a nod and smile. Raphael returned the smile.
“Raphael? Would you like to start to spar with me every day for now on? I’m out of some stamina and skills, but I bet with you I can get back to my usual level in no time.”
“Sure. I will enjoy kicking your ass until you become your usual skillful self and start to kick my ass instead.”
Leonardo’s laugh was music to his ears as they entered the living room. Raphael escorted Leonardo to sit on his chair while Alfred was there to dry most sweat drops off on his master, giving a knowing look to Raphael, ending up making big turtle blush. Shit. Alfred most surely had seen it all. In the heat of the fight and then Leo in his arms Raphael had forgot the butler completely.
“I’ll be back. I go get you some of that lime water with ice what you so much like.”
“Thank you. Take something to yourself and bring something to Alfred as well.”
“I will.”
“Correction, Raphael. Master likes lime water with ice AND fresh strawberry pieces in it.” While Alfred still looked at him teasingly and knowingly, Raphael snorted at him with blush on his face.
“Shut up, you old geezer.”
