A/N-Hey Guys! So I have finally finished my first year of University and so, as promised, here is my next story! I'm so sorry it took me so long to update; drama with living next year and exams kind of took up my time. But now I have a WHOLE SUMMER free to write and update. Well that's the plan anyway. So, these next two stories are linked together, 'Distractions' being part 1. I wrote them about a year ago and am now editing as I go, so hopefully they should be a little better than my previous pieces. They're quite heavy, part 2 definitely but I'm quite proud of them, so as always, please comment. Glad to be back :)

Prologue

"But sensei, I don't understand-"

"I know Leonardo. You are still so young, and this is why you must go. You must discover your true self, your isolated spirit, if you are to truly lead this team."

"But why to South America? Why not Japan again, or at least Asia-"

"Because you must embrace the unfamiliar but be close enough to let travelling home be an easy distraction that you must conquer. This trip must require your absolute focus, and with the Shredder quiet for the moment, it means we can afford for you to leave us."

"Yes Sensei. But I don't like leaving the five of you alone."

"Your brothers must learn to survive without you, my son. And they will truly appreciated your leadership when you return, stronger and more focused. Take your time in isolation to discover what you truly want from your life, and what your role is on this earth. You must test both your physical and spiritual strength. You have three months to do this, so use your time wisely, and always remember the purpose of your training."

"Yes Sensei."

"Good, now go pack your things. You and Venus leave tonight."

"Venus? I thought you said this was an isolated training trip?"

"It is. Venus is travelling to the Five Sacred Mountains of China to finally master the Shinobi arts from the elders. I decided it was time she truly fulfilled her role as a Shinobi, and I know her father would approve."

"How long will she be gone?"

"Six months. She must travel to all five mountains and truly connect with each element to be able to master the fifth, quintessence. She will learn at the temples, guided by the Shinobi elders, and when she returns she shall be stronger than ever before. A true threat to our enemies and a true Shinobi. Now go and get packed. I must inform your brothers of your journey."

The news was not taken well. Venus seemed genuinely excited for her trip; it was a chance for her to go home and improve her skills. To learn her father's art properly. And although they were sad to see her go, her family seemed pleased for her. But Leonardo remained quiet. He did not want to leave and they could tell. His brothers did not understand why he had to go, and Raphael certainly didn't understand why he didn't speak out against the decision, as if he didn't have a choice. It was as if he didn't care.

The pair were taken to the airport, sneaking onto the airfields and onto their aeroplanes, hiding in the hold. Their journeys would be long but hopefully useful. Raph didn't want to see Venus go but understood why she wanted to, so when she smiled and waved, he smiled back, happy that she was looking forward to her training. Leonardo's plane was soon after, but he didn't see a smile, only a face determined to complete his task. It wasn't an expression Raph enjoyed seeing as it usually led to obsession and sleepless nights. And as his brother sped through the sky in a giant metal bird, Raph was glad that he would only be gone for three months…

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Loyalty was something embedded into the small, strange family. When Venus returned from China after half a year's trip to discover the roots of her magic she had been welcomed her back with open arms. They had also expertly hidden the discord in the group at Leo's late arrival: he and Venus had been sent away at the same time, to benefit them as individuals and to improve the team on the whole. But Leonardo was only supposed to be away for three months, she for six. It wasn't until Venus asked where he was that the truth came out. If she thought her departure had been depressing, her arrival soon turned into something worse. She was shocked to find out that Donatello and Michelangelo had both taken jobs, and became suspicious of Raphael's night activities.

Casey and April were now officially dating, but apparently still visited, when the guys had time to spare. Even Master Splinter had become introverted, not training his sons as much as he used to, and without Leo to take the role, they were at loose ends; the three had reduced their own training time in order to make the money they suddenly desperately needed (or in Raph's case, sleep). Venus suspected that they instead craved the security that money brought, now that Leo wasn't around to make sure the family's life ran smoothly.

Venus had missed everyone deeply, and she could tell that she too had been missed. But after a few days of being in the lair without Leonardo, she realised she missed him greatly; when she was away, she had her training with the Shinobi clan elders to distract her. But now she was back at home, she had time to fester on the emptiness of the lair. She resorted to cleaning it constantly and repairing Michelangelo's 'Cowabunga Carl' costume whenever the kids he was supposed to be entertaining hit it too hard, which was every time. She had started to train physically and magically when she returned, but she soon found she couldn't focus due to the broken atmosphere: The remaining brothers had lost contact with each other due to their 'jobs', although Raph had nearly isolated himself completely. As she thought over her own feelings, she realised what the guys must be going through; Leo had been there their whole lives, had been their leader for the majority of the time. They were all 20 years old now, no longer teenagers but still not quite adults. Leonardo had been sent away before, true, but he was under the care of the Ancient One, and the drama Karai had caused provided quite a distraction for the group. This time though, the worst part was not knowing why he hadn't returned. Ideas of Leo being injured or tired of having to be the responsible one flashed through all their minds. Raphael claimed Leonardo had run away from his duty because he was scared of the trouble in New York, abandoning them for a little holiday. Venus had looked at Master Splinter when Raph had said this; the hurt and confusion lay clear in his eyes. It was then that Venus realised that sensei blamed himself; He knew his son had not been injured but was taking his time. He strived for perfection, a want that Splinter had unknowingly instilled into him when he made him leader. Leonardo was afraid of failure and for all his open-mindedness, it was a concept he'd never accepted. Leo wouldn't return until he felt he had improved himself, which would be never...

...Unless someone went and got him; Splinter and the turtles didn't know that April had found Leo. When he came home Venus couldn't remember smiling so much. The worry of Leo's disappearance dissolved at once and he was welcomed home as Venus had been. Apart from Raph and Leo's relationship, Venus knew that after everything that had happened that particular week concerning Winters and his monsters, it wouldn't be long until everything went back to normal.

Donny and Mikey quit their jobs while Raphael hung up his 'vigilante' helmet. Leo was reinstated as leader and the four brothers went on patrol every night. Venus let them have some time together, hanging back to train with Splinter and develop her new skills. But when the Shredder returned a couple of weeks later, the guys decided that they needed Venus. She was secretly glad, meaning her strength could really be put to the test. After three months, the family were finally back to doing what they do best...