Raphael

My feet pounded heavily on the rooftop below, each impact exerting its own force up through my body. I couldn't handle it anymore, the pace, myself, and I stopped abruptly. Falling to my knees, a yell escaped my heaving chest.

"I'm sorry!" I screamed, collapsing onto my hands, the past hour came back to me.

Just a normal day in the lair, nothing new… at least, at first. The teenage mutants were enjoying some well earned down time, so the boys were being boys. Donatello tinkered happily at the gizmo in his hands. His leader sat calmly on the ledge that jutted out from the lower wall. Leo stared intensely at the katana he carefully polished, checking for any impurities. His weapon needed to be perfect, after all, the sword and its partner were easily his most prized possessions. Mid swipe of the clothe in his hand, a heavy thump followed by a curse broke his train of thought..

"Damn it Mikey!" Raphael growled as he picked himself up off of the ground. His younger brother had leapt and flipped over his sparring partner causing Raph to barrel into the wall behind.

Casually, Michaelangelo swung his nun chuck helicopter style, gloating in his brother's poor choice. "Chillax Raphie-Boy, we're all friends here!" he laughed before snapping up his weapon in one hand, "Let's just call it a tie?"

"I don't play to tie," Raphael remarked as he squared himself off, "I play to win." Unfortunately for him, he got sloppy and predictable when his temper was raised and Mikey knew it. As the temperamental ninja charged, a side step was much too easy and mikey stuck out his leg much too quickly. Raph tripped and rolled back into another wall, groaning and cussing the whole way.

"You shoulda token my offer dude. Now this is just getting pathetic to watch." Mikey chuckled, crossing his arms and looking down at his brother. But as sloppy as Raph was getting, Mikey was becoming just as cocky. With a quick circle of the leg, raph had his little brother on the ground. He pushed himself up and towered over the turtle on his back, "You wanna run that by me again?"

"Nice one, dude," Mikey rolled over and stood up, "you're what? One for sixty now? Keep it up, and you may catch up in a few years." He grinned. Baiting him again, he was ready to not let his guard down again.

"That's it, no more!" One final charge would do the job; pulling his right shoulder back he was ready. However as pushed his fist forward, armed with devastating force from his perfect form, Mikey made one last dodge. Stepping backwards he took a stance with his right arm ready. Where Raph left his right side open to attack, he took the advantage. Quickly his uppercut landed directly into his ribs. Raphael fell forward sputtering and choking on his breathe.

Leo had been watching carefully the whole time. A smile crept at the corners of his mouth as he watched Michaelangelo walk forward with arms raised in victory. Assuming his brother defeated, he could not help but soak in the success. After all, even he himself was surprised that he could best the strongest of the brothers. "That's right! There is a new sheriff in town and what is his name? Why Michaelangelo of course! And with wit and strength he has slain the horrifying, UGLY, Raphasuarus!"

In his glory, he did not think to notice the tensing of his oldest brother nor did he hear the sharp snarls of his brother rising behind him. It was only too late when he heard footsteps thumping behind him, only to turn around to witness his brother sai drawn. After all, all Raphael could see was red. His wild form flared in the reflection of his brother's terrified eyes when—

CLANK! A single katana held strong inches from Mikey's face, stopping the set of sai.

"Raphael! Get a hold of yourself! What is wrong with you?!" Leo screamed.

Finally, the red began to clear as the horror sunk in. His posture relaxed as he unhooked the sai from the sword.

"Mikey… I… I," was all he could mumble as he stared blankly at the weapons in his hands before him. How strange they looked now, not the pronged, metal weapons, his hands.

"RAPH!" his head popped up at Leo's anger. He stood tall before him, Mikey having retreated to Donnie's side, he too now standing. "I'll ask you again, What is wrong with you?!"

Unable to cope, he let the sai fall to floor. Their clatter was only accompanied by his shallow voice, "I'm a monster." And then he ran, straight through their home, right past their emerging master, and right through the sewer till he found a manhole cover.

And now, I'm here. Sitting on the rooftop, staring at the half moon above, unsure of my next move. Gently, my hands went to the back of my head. Carefully they undid the knot of my tattered mask. After slipping the fabric from my face, I tied it to the leather belt around my waist. The breeze on my bare face was refreshing. Truly I hated wearing that mask, hiding any part of myself made me feel cowardly. Only here, away from my brothers would I dare go without it. Without another thought, I laid back. The sounds of sirens below and helicopters above were my lullaby as I shut my eyes.