Who Are You? Wait, Who Am I?
Disclaimer: I don't own the turtles and I never will. Happy now?
My very first Ninja Turtle story. Let me know if if I got everyone in character. Splinter is really hard to write. But don't flame. I'll just use them to burn my textbooks when I graduate this spring.
It was just another day in New York City. Hundreds of people hurried to work among the usual bustle of cabs making their way through the crowded streets. There was only one place in New York City that was completely silent. Deep within the sewers, a lone figure was waiting in a dimly lit room like he had been doing for days. The scene was rather melancholy but also unusual, considering the figure was a giant terrapin.
Raphael shifted, trying to get more comfortable on the cold, metal chair. His gaze never lifted from his little brother, Michelangelo, who was lying beside him, still as death. The silence had never seemed so heavy to Raphael. It almost felt as if it were suffocating him. Life had never been easy for Raphael and his brothers, but at least they had always had Michelangelo around to lift their spirits. It felt so unnatural to see his little brother looking so pale and weak instead of running around the lair while high on sugar.
Raphael sighed and covered his face with a green,three-fingered hand. This was all his fault. If he had only kept his temper in check, then none of this would have happened. Despite himself, Raphael couldn't help but think back to that morning when everything went so wrong. Raphael growled and pressed his palms into his closed eyes, hoping that the bright lights would block out the images in his head. Michelangelo laughing as he dodged Raphael's attack. Raphael snarling as he slammed his brother into the nearest wall. The sharp cracks as Michelangelo's head bounced repeatedly against the brick wall. The blood dripping down as his little brother fell limply to the ground.
Unable to take the flashbacks anymore, Raphael quickly jumped up and paced around the room. Normally he would take his frustration out on a punching bag, but he didn't really want to see his older brothers, nor did they probably want to see him. He couldn't remember ever seeing Leonardo and Donatello so angry. Raphael still felt a rush of shame as he recalled the look of disappointment in Splinter's eyes. After a moment, Raphael sat down again and placed a hand gently on Michelangelo's bandaged forehead.
Please wake up, bro, Raphael thought, I need ya. We all do. Michelangelo didn't respond, and Raphael remembered Don saying that he might have a concussion. Raphael pulled the blanket up to Michelangelo's chin, then he laid his head on his plastron and started to cry.
Meanwhile, Leonardo was meditating in the training room, trying to clear his mind of the last few days. It wasn't working. Leo felt anger rush through him as he thought about his hot-headed brother. He thought Raphael had learned his lesson after he nearly caved Michelangelo's head in with a steel pipe. Leo knew Raphael felt terrible and he had stayed by Mikey's side constantly, but this time he had gone too far.
Leo didn't really want to see Raphael right now, but he felt a sudden urge to check on his youngest brother. Unsurprisingly, Raphael was still sitting by Mikey. Leo was shocked to hear sobs come from his brother, who never cried about anything. Raphael didn't look up as Leo approached him, but he stiffened when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Even though Leo was still angry at Raphael, he knew his brother needed him right now.
Raphael finally looked up, his red mask now damp with tears. "I'm so sorry. I never meant ta-I never wanted....I'm sorry," he whispered. Leo couldn't help but feel sorry for Raphael, who had never looked more vulnerable.
"I know you are," Leonardo said softly, "but it doesn't change what happened."
"I wouldn't blame 'em if he hated me," Raphael muttered, "if-I mean when-he wakes up."
"He will," Leo said firmly, "It's only been six days. And anyway, Mikey could never hate you."
"That knucklehead could never stay mad at anyone," Raphael let out a watery chuckle. "I just wish he would wake up so I could tell 'em-"
Raphael was cut off as a soft moan filled the air. Leo and Raphael looked at their little brother in disbelief.
"Mikey?" Raphael said softly, "You awake, bro? Come on."
Michelangelo moaned again, his eyelids fluttering as he shifted slightly.
"He's wakin' up," Raphael said, hardly daring to believe it.
"Master Splinter! Don! Mikey's waking up!" Leo yelled, barely able to contain his excitement. A moment later, Don ran into the room with Splinter right behind him. Don started checking Michelangelo's pulse, while the rest of the family waited anxiously for their youngest to wake up.
"Michelangelo," Splinter said, placing a furry hand on his son's forehead, "It is time to wake up. Your family is waiting for you."
Mikey let out a tiny sigh, and then he slowly opened his eyes. He blinked and looked around, his gaze finally falling on his family.
"Mikey," Donatello said, going into full 'medical mode', "How are you feeling? Does your head hurt at all?" Michelangelo didn't answer, and Leo thought he looked rather confused.
"What's wrong with 'em?" Raphael said, trying to hide his concern, "Why ain't he sayin' anything?"
"Mikey?" Leo said, his mouth turning dry, "Are you okay? Say something." His relief at seeing his brother awake was quickly turning into fear. What if there was something seriously wrong with Mikey? Finally, Michelangelo sat up, still gazing silently at everyone. There was something unsettling about the way he was staring at them. Leo glanced at Splinter, who looked concerned.
"Michelangelo," Master Splinter said, "My son-"
"Who are you?" Mikey asked blankly.
Tune in next time. I already got most of the next chapter written. This story should only be about four or five chapters long, but who knows?