Once again, his mouth opens to make a biting remark. Once again, the words die in his throat. This time for another reason entirely.

It feels like his blood has frozen, stopped dead still in his veins. Damn it, Raph. Why? Why did you have to go there? He's tried hard all this time not to draw the comparisons - because they're there, hanging on the periphery of his mind like blood-soaked scarves, but he's refused to acknowledge them. It's different. He's been careful. He'd rather die in shame than lead his brothers into another 'ally' with a blade hidden behind their back. (And if that's what he's doing tonight, at least it would have only been him.)

It hits too close to home in more ways than one. So maybe that's why Leo's face goes through a flurry of tight emotions, from fury to doubt to perfect stillness, all within a matter of seconds.

"I'm going." Perfectly flat; completely civil. He steps around to pass his brother on his left.