"To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it." –Confucius

"Holding a grudge and harboring resentment is poison to the soul." –Steve Maraboli

Grudge Paid in Full

He staggered into the living-room, dripping in blood, a broken katana gripped in a trembling fist. Raphael was the first to react. He was on his brother in a flash, catching him as Leonardo pitched forward, eyes rolling up into his head. Donatello emerged from the lab, a tracking device in one hand, with the sound of Michelangelo's frightened shout. They crowded around until Raphael barked at them to back off. He threw Leonardo's arm over his shoulder and half-dragged, half-carried him to the sofa.

"I'll get the first aid," Donatello said and rushed from the room tossing the device to one side, its use was moot now that Leonardo had returned without their help in rescuing him. Michelangelo following behind. His worried voice carried the fear that all of them were feeling.

"Will he be okay, Donnie? Will he?"

"Leo."

Raph knelt in front of Leonardo, he patted his face gently. Leonardo's breathing was shallow and ragged. His brows were knitted as if he was in pain. Raphael only assumed it was physical pain that was hurting his brother so much. He couldn't have guessed at the emotional and mental turmoil his brother wrestled with as he laid on the couch before him. Raphael's eyes scanned the wounds covering Leonardo's body. He was a mess of lacerations and bruises. Whatever Karai had put him through after her bots captured him must have been rough. He pulled his hands away from his brother, seeing that they were covered in hot crimson blood. So bright in the dim light of the television flickering behind him.

"God," he looked away feeling his stomach roil and with a voice that cracked, he hollered for their father. "Master! Master Splinter!"

Splinter appeared from the dojo and immediately fell to the floor next to Raphael. "My son," he breathed, his amber eyes flickered to Raphael. His hand flitted over Leonardo's face, dripping in sweat and blood, down to his neck, he dropped his head as he felt for a pulse then closed his eyes in relief. He looked at Raphael.

"H-He must have escaped from Karai. We were just about to go after him. D-Don needed to get his tracking device. Then it wasn't working, so we-we had to wait . . ." his voice was rising with a note of hysteria until Master Splinter placed a hand on his son's shoulder to calm him.

"Breathe, Raphael," he said softly.

Raphael, blinking rapidly, nodded and did his best to steady himself.

Donatello emerged from the lab with a box in his arms. He ran towards them and Master Splinter and Raphael spread apart, giving him room. Michelangelo produced a set of small white towels. One cool and wet and one dry.

"He'll be okay, right, Donnie?"

Donatello's bright eyes shot up, then he nodded. "Yeah, yes. He'll be okay. I need to clean some of these deeper wounds and get him stitched up. I . . . wouldn't be surprise if he's got a few bruised or broken ribs. He made it home but I think he's lost a lot of blood, by the color of his skin. I-I may need to do a transfusion."

Everyone stood in silence as they let that sink in.

"O-Of course, I . . . I've never done one before, but I-I am sure I can figure it out," Donnie reassured everyone in a wavering voice that only made them all more nervous. "R-Raph, I hate to move him, but I think, I need him in the infirmary . . . it's more uh, clean. Can you lift him?"

Raph gave a nod and immediately reached out and lifted Leonardo gently up off the couch. His head lulled onto Raph's chest. He murmured something and everyone froze. Raphael's green eyes darted to Splinter.

"What did he say?"

For a moment, it seemed as if Raphael wouldn't tell them. He struggled, then said, "Something like . . . 'M sorry . . . Karai."

Splinter's face dropped as the brothers followed Raphael to the infirmary. With a shaking claw, Splinter reached behind him to find the armrest of the chair next to the couch. The strength in his legs gave out and he fell heavily into the chair. His eyes roved around the room, as his mouth hung open slightly. Then his eyes locked on the broken katana; its blade stained in spatters of blood. His daughter's blood.

He slid bonelessly off the cushion onto the floor in a heap. His stomach churned as he leaned forward, stretching out to touch the hilt of the sword with his fingertips. The handle wobbled. It was sticky. He retched and gagged, then vomited onto the floor.

"M-Master Splinter?" Mikey's voice came from just inside the living room. He inched closer. He knelt down and placed a hand on his father's back. He blinked and looked around, seeing what Splinter was reaching for he pressed his mouth together, deciding to be strong for his dad when he had come looking for Splinter to comfort him in the first place. Mikey took a deep breath. "He's going to be okay," he said calmly.

Splinter shook his head and choked on a wordless noise that rose up from his chest.

Mikey leaned down and embraced Splinter, resting his head on his father's shoulder. He squeezed him tightly pouring all his love from his heart into the hug.

"Donnie knows what he's doing. Don't worry, Sensei. Leonardo will be fine."

A/N: I plan on having one more chapter and that's all. This was going to be a one-shot, but I wanted more time to get into Splinter confronting Leonardo with the truth. Reviews are so greatly appreciated. xoxoxo