Why?

Okay. Basically, I noticed that tmntlover2013 had started a premise for a story by the name of "The Chance of Love" that touched on the idea of an abusive Splinter. Her idea was very inspiring to me despite the fact that she had been unable to finish her story. I asked her permission to write a version of her story with a twist more towards the relationship of the brothers which she gave to me. Thank you, tmntlover 2013!

This is an AU story. Please note that I very much respect the character of Splinter and that this is just a retelling of the TMNT storyline with a twist. Please enjoy.

I own nothing.

Epilogue

OO

Leo's point of view:

I sat against the wall of the dojo as I unwound from a personal training that I had put myself through while soft music played in the background. I enjoyed listening to music again and appreciated that Donnie had installed the sound system in here for me. It had been nine months since I had recovered from our father's attack and we had just recently begun to patrol again. I wasn't even flinching at the sounds of chains anymore, like I did in the beginning. Mikey had tried to give up his weapons, but I had insisted that he be the one to help me overcome that particular fear. My little brother had been very gentle, but he patiently helped me become desensitized to the sounds of chains and we both celebrated when the flinches ended. I had been appointed head of training for my brothers. It was a task that I enjoyed and could do since I had most of Father's skills memorized.

My brothers still could not call Master Splinter their father, but I knew that Father would return to us one day. Leatherhead had kept me abreast of our father's recovery. Sensei was beside himself at what he had done. It felt good to realize that Father did still love and see me as one of his sons. Sensei was working hard to get his life back together again because he missed all of us terribly. That meant a lot to me.

"Penny for your thoughts," a voice whispered as I startled and looked over to the door to see my baby brother, "Hi, Leo."

I smiled and held my arms out for Mikey to crawl into. The youngest had always been touchy-feely and was my constant shadow these days.

"What are you thinking about?" Mikey asked again from my lap.

"Father," I sighed as Mikey scowled.

I had learned not only to be able to eat real food again, but also to be able to stop calling Father by the name "Master." I had left a lot of my old fears in the past and my brothers had helped me rebuild a life that I enjoyed very much. For the first time in a long time, I was happy.

"LH let me know that Father has been working on his anger issues," I began as Mikey nodded, "Sensei is getting better and wants to apologize to me, Baby Brother."

"I don't want ya ta see him," another voice interrupted as I looked up to see Raph and Donnie hovering in the doorway, "Ya're not ready ta face Splinter yet. I forbid it. Forbid! Forbid! Forbid!"

I laughed as Raph glared angrily. All of my brothers were extremely protective of me and for that I was both grateful and annoyed. I was not as fragile as I had been so many months ago, but my brothers, Raph in particular, kept tabs on me throughout the day to make sure that I was safe at all times. I never complained no matter how much my little brothers hovered. My brothers meant well and had seen me at my lowest so their fierce protection of me always left me feeling warm while understanding that it was also necessary for them to recover from what they had seen Father do to me. I was not the only one who had to emotionally heal over these past few months.

"Raph, you can't order Leo around," Donnie crabbed as he came and sat beside me, "But…Leo, I'm not ready for you to see Splinter yet either. It's too soon."

"I know," I agreed as all three of my brothers breathed a sigh of relief, "But one day I will see our Father again. I still have the hope that he will heal in both mind and soul. I want our family whole again. I still love our father."

My brothers looked between one another and back to me.

"I don't know how I feel yet," Mikey admitted, "I've been trying to forgive Splinter because I knew that was your greatest dream to make the family whole again, Leo, but I just can't yet. Not when I keep seeing you in my mind nearly dead, Bro. I still have nightmares. I'm sorry."

I nodded my head as Mikey cuddled closer. We had all been woken by him screaming my name during a nightmare on several occasions and now Mikey was my near, constant bed companion. I kissed his temple lightly to soothe him, but I knew deep down that my tenderhearted, little brother would one day be able to forgive our father.

"I ain't got it in me yet either, Fearless," Raph agreed, "I know he is all sick and stuff, but ya come first, Bro. I'm still pretty pissed off. It took months for ya ta gain back all your weight and get your strength back. I…I don't know if I can forgive Splinter. I've thought about it, but…I don't know."

"I'm still really angry too," Donnie added, "Perhaps one day when all of this is further behind us we can sit down and talk to Splinter at LH's place. I don't want him here. It has taken many months for you to feel completely safe within the lair, Leo, and that is more important to me right now. Splinter is not allowed here; at least, not anytime soon. Maybe one day, but not now. I…I hope that doesn't upset you."

"I'm not upset by anything you all have to say," I assured as I watched my brothers relax, "It would be nice if one day we could be a family again, but if it is not meant to be…well, then it is not meant to be."

"Family?" Raph questioned aloud as he looked deep in thought, "Do ya really think that Splinter could heal up so we could be a family again?"

"I hope so," I sighed as Raph cocked his head at me in confusion, "I have been able to forgive him in my heart, Bro. I would like for us to be together again, but I'm not ready to see Father yet. I…I think that a lot of old feelings would overwhelm me and it would be too much."

"That's normal," Donnie soothed me as he took my hand in his and gave it a squeeze while Mikey's head buried itself beneath my chin, "It's going to take more than a few months to come to terms with nearly nine years of abuse, Leo, but if reuniting the family is something that is meant to be, then we will try for you."

I nodded with a thankful smile and leaned into Raph's hand as he stroked the side of my face. All the reassuring touches had become the new "normal" for all of us. We had learned to never take for granted our lives and being brothers. The feelings of betrayal and uncertainty Father had created, which we were all experiencing, were natural and it would take time, but I had faith that one day we could all be reunited.

"I'm getting Mikey-squished," I chuckled as my baby brother giggled, "Help me up, Mike."

Both Raph and Mikey pulled me to my feet and I reveled at the feeling of strong muscles again.

"Hmm…you're it!" I blurted as I tapped Raph and shot out of the dojo.

I already had my weapons and heard Donnie and Mikey laughing as they grabbed up their weapons and hauled shell out of the lair.

"I'm goin' ta get ya, Fearless!" Raph shouted as he sprinted after us, "Ya call me 'sneaky,' ya sneaky Brat!"

Laughing, I ran through the sewers with my brothers like we used to do as kids. Even Raph was cracking a grin as he raced after Donnie and tagged him "it" and then doubled over in laughter when our purple-masked brother took off after a shrieking Mikey. One day Father would return to us, but for now, I would simply revel in the love for my brothers. My brothers were my world and I was their leader. As leader, I would always protect them until the bitter end and I would not go down without one shell of a fight.

Why did I go through what I went through? Because I am Leonardo Hamato and I know the true meaning of pain and love. Because of my knowledge, I vow that nobody will ever hurt my family. They can try, but they will lose. I'm not going anywhere because home is where the heart is and my heart dwells with my brothers.

The end.

This story has been a real journey. Thank you again, tmntlover 2013, for giving me permission to write a version of your premise.

For some, this story might have touched home a little more personally.

If you are in an abusive situation, get out of it. Reach out to anyone that you know that you can trust. The abuse is NOT YOUR FAULT. It doesn't matter who the abuser is or how much you love him or her, you've got to get assistance before you get placed in a worse position. Here are two hotlines:

National Child Help

1-800-422-4453

National Domestic Violence

1-800-799-7233

These numbers are just two of many. Don't allow yourself to feel like you are trapped. There are individuals that can be contacted to help you out of an abusive situation. It won't get better no matter if the abuser promises to stop. Abuse only gets worse. Love yourself enough to realize that you are the victim and none of what is happening to you is anything that you deserve. Be safe and realize that there are a lot of people out there that will care to assist you.

Thanks to all reviewers. You really made writing this story a joy to share.

TTFN,

Amberzlove