<div class="floatleft">(http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/350/3/b/leo_by_jennyverse-d8a4zeh.jpg)</div>"I wouldn't have to lecture you if you'd just listen to me!" Leonardo said hotly as his brother Raphael angrily berated him for what felt like the hundredth time in the last month or so. It was always the same. Leonardo would try to talk with Raph as calmly and amicably as possible, but then his brother's temper flare up and they would begin arguing. It had almost always been that way between the two of them. But ever since Splinter had decided that Leonardo would be the one to lead the group in her absence, it felt like they had been fighting more than ever. Leo was quickly reaching the end of his rope when it came to dealing his hotheaded sibling. "I know I'm not Splinter! But Sensei did put me in charge, so you need to check your attitude Raph!"<br/><br/>Leonardo frowned as Raphael punched their dinner table, clenching a fist of his own as he watched his brother tightly gripping a butter knife. "It is my business if you go off and do something stupid! I'm supposed to be keeping us out of trouble, and I can't do that when you keep picking fights with every thug on the street!" Like Raphael, he was too caught up in arguing to notice that Splinter had walked into the room to watch them. It wasn't until Raph angrily threw the butter knife across the room, straight into Splinter's waiting hands, that he noticed that their Mother was there.<br/><br/>His eyes widened at how close Raphael had come to hurting Splinter, but she was quick to begin chastising him before he could. She was also far more effective. All of Raphael's fire faded away before Splinter's cool and calculating gaze. He glanced over at their friend April O'Neil, who'd been caught in the middle of their family squabble. Splinter was right, it would have been very bad if she had gotten in the way of that knife; not that Leonardo ever thought Raphael would hurt April on purpose. But Raphael was well known for acting without fully thinking the consequences; something their Mother firmly reminded her off right now.<br/><br/>It all ended with Raphael deciding to storm off before Splinter could finish her lecture. "Come back here, Raph! We're not done talking!" But it was no use. Raphael wouldn't listen. The turtle sighed in exasperation, uncertain of what to do. He doubted following after Raphael would lead to anything but more arguing. Splinter must have known this too, because she asked April to go and talk to him instead. Leonardo didn't disagree. If he was being honest, he didn't feel like trying to talk to Raphael anymore than he would want to talk with Leo.<br/><br/>"What's his problem? I can't even talk to him without fighting anymore!" Leo said with a shake of his head. Raphael seemed downright hostile towards him now, and he'd be lying if he said it didn't bother him. He sat down; crossing his toned legs beneath him. "Sensei, I know you picked me to be the leader. But how can I lead when I can't even keep Raphael in line? He'll never listen to me." he said with a downcast expression, feeling as though he was already failing and letting Splinter down. "Maybe you made the wrong choice...maybe I'm not cut out for this..."