Well here it is. Finally... Have a good read. Chapter 2 Leo sat cross-legged in the center of his room attempting to meditate. It had been just over a month since they had moved into this new lair. It was certainly big enough for them. In fact, it was just a bit bigger than their last home, which was good for everyone. It gave them all a little more room to spread out. And with everyone at each other’s throats for the past week, that was a good thing. “There’s even more room without… Keith.”
Leo narrowed his eyes at the thought of Keith and sighed abandoning his meditation. He couldn’t focus at the moment and the constant bickering in the lair was driving him nuts. Splinter had forbidden them from going topside after what happened with Keith betraying them and leading the Foot to the lair. He knew it was for the best right now so they wouldn’t run into the Foot and risk leading them to their new home, but tension was quickly building now.
“Raphy! Come on! I was winning!” Mikey complained loudly.
“Ya were not!” Raph growled.
Leo sighed and rubbed his face. Everyone was getting into an argument with everyone. Even he had tense moment with Splinter every once and awhile this week, especially after he got over the thought that it was his fault that Keith had found the lair.
“Can’t you two stop bickering for one hour?” Don yelled exasperated. “I swear. You two are pathetic arguing over everything!”
Leo stood up surprised. It was rare for Don to yell at any one of them. Actually it was rare enough to almost be nonexistent. Leo quickly walked out of his room to the living area. Don stood just in front of his lab area, Mikey and Raph were by the TVs, Rai sat in a chair near them, and Splinter was nowhere to be seen. Most likely the rat master was attempting to meditate in his own room.
“What is going on?” Leo demanded exasperated.
“Raph cheated!” Mikey tattled.
“I did not cheat!” Raph growled.
“Did too!”
“Did not!”
“Did-“
“Enough!” Leo yelled, silencing everyone for the moment. “How many times do you two have to get into an argument?”
“Five times a day,” Rai muttered, leaning his head back against the back of his chair.
“What was that?!” Raph demanded.
“Nothing,” Rai said quietly.
“I’m sure,” Raph sneered.
“Raph, come on. Even you know this is ridiculous,” Leo interjected.
Raph sent daggers at Leo. “Mind your own business Fearless.”
Leo kept his gaze steady on Raph. “You all are my business. You need to cool it.”
“I will when goofball here can stop whining like a baby!”
“Raphael!”
Every head turned to look at the rat coming into the living area. The air suddenly seemed thick enough to slice through with a katana.
“Raphael. Enough,” Splinter said sternly.
“But…”
“No buts Raphael. You must get along with your brothers,” Splinter said firmly.
Raph looked away and blew out a frustrated breath.
“And that goes for all of you,” Splinter said, looking at each one of them until he got a nod of response from all of them.
“Sensei, I think it would be good for everyone to have a chance to get out of the lair for awhile,” Leo spoke up. “It’s gotten… sort of crowded and tense around here.”
Splinter turned to gaze at his son, seeming to think on this.
Leo almost winced under Splinter’s stern, but thoughtful look. He didn’t want to go against his master’s wishes, but he knew it could be beneficial for everyone to get out for awhile. Even if it was only into the sewer tunnels.
Splinter sighed. “I believe you are correct my son. It is time for some fresh air. You have my blessing to go, as you boys call it, topside.”
Leo blinked surprised. He seemed frozen for a moment, then quickly gave a small bow. “Thank you Sensei.:
The others seemed frozen to where they were and just as speechless. No one thought Splinter would encourage rooftop time right now, but no one was going to go against it.
“Well what are we waiting fer?” Raph asked gruffly and started towards the door.
Mikey gave a whoop and raced to the door, quickly passing Raph on his way out.
Rai stood from where he were sitting and quickly followed without a word, most likely still a little shocked. Donatello right behind him.
Leo was still a bit shocked himself as he turned to go. A hand on his arm stopped him.
“Be careful my son,” Splinter said gently after everyone had gone out of the lair.
“We will Sensei,” Leo promised.
“Very good,” Splinter nodded. “Have fun Leonardo.”
Leo smiled and nodded. “I will. We all will. I hope.”
Splinter gave a knowing smile and dropped his hand from his son’s shoulder.
Leo turned and left the lair, finding Rai and his brothers waiting impatiently on the rooftops for him once he got up top.
“’Bout time Fearless,” Raph muttered.
Leo sighed and shook his head.
“So just a rooftop run then?” Rai asked.
“Why can’t we do something other than running aimlessly?” Mikey asking, bouncing from one foot to the other.
“You mean like a game of ninja tag?” Don suggested.
“Yeah! That’ll work!”
Leo chuckled. “What do you say Raph?”
Raph glared at them, then smacked Mikey. “You’re it.” He smirked and took off running.
Mikey’s mouth was hanging open before he burst out laughing.
“Run!” Rai yelled and took off.
Leo sprinted off, leaving Mikey behind to catch up to one of them. He tried to keep the others in site, still fearing they might run into the Foot, but he quickly lost sight of them as they all spread out. He sighed, but kept running. Hopefully this would help them all to not be at each other’s throats so much.
To be continued...