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"There is nothing more important than family "
Master Splinter's words echoed around the dojo, despite his voice being no more than a quiet whisper. The sentence held passion and pride, and Leo knew that sensei's words were true.
"Of course sensei" Leo felt the corners of his mouth twitch as he suppressed a smile.
"Good" the word was spoken like a command.
Sensei's head tilted upward and he gazed over Leo's head. "Do you know why I am telling you this, my son?"
Leo forgot to control his facial muscles and his mouth widened into a big smile.
"So that I remember to listen to my family no matter what, and to not let my own rash thoughts and opinions cloud my judgment of what my family thinks is right"
He watched his sensei's eyes travel back to him and Leo remembered to lose the smile before master splinter noticed he had lost control.
"Very good Leonardo" sensei lowered himself down to Leo's level and looked him in the eyes.
" We are family, my son, you and I" Leo silently added his brothers. "no one else will ever come before our family"
Leo remembered the time he had to squash a cockroach because his brother Raphael was terrified of the small creature and a warm, fuzzy feeling engulfed him and he couldn't help but smile at how well he must be doing.
"Leonardo!" Master Splinter's tone was harsh and stern "regain control of yourself immediately!"
Leo's eyes widened and his mouth dropped into a tight frown "gomen na sai sensei!" He apologizes immediately.
Sensei sighed "if you cannot control something as simple as your expressions how do you expect to control yourself on the battlefield!"
Leo's eyes fell to the floor in shame.
"I believe that is enough training for today" master Splinter rises from the floor, "dismissed"
Leo stood up and bowed at the waist before collecting his katanas and exiting the dojo, shame bubbling in his stomach and he was aware of sensei's disappointed gaze still on him as the door closed behind him.