A/N - Sorry about the delay! Hopefully I can get this moving again, thanks for the reviews I love hearing your thoughts!
In the Dark: Splinter
Why did he have to go above ground? Why alone? I can't help but wonder why Raphael will not listen to me. Countless times over the years I have warned them of the dangers the surface holds and even now they are older I try to insist they don't travel above ground alone, but that is clearly not possible for Raphael.
As I start the climb up the ladder my mind drifts back to the argument that caused him to run from the lair. To run from his family. It is that last thought that hurts the most as I push the manhole cover up and out of the way. Heading to the rooftop I decide it's best to head to the rooftops downtown first. I have often heard from my other sons it is where he is most likely to be found when he goes off on his own.
Following Raphael is normally a task I leave to Leonardo if I want him brought home but given his constant bickering with Leonardo it is perhaps best I went to find him this time. I'm well aware he believes I favour Leonardo over him but that is simply not true. Since I made Leonardo leader I have done what I can to support his plans and decisions for he would learn nothing if I overruled him every time I thought he was wrong or something could be improved. I do of course guide him to fix his own plans and he has developed into a fine leader. None of that excuses what I've done tonight however.
Tonight's argument was different. Raphael was presenting his ideas to Leonardo who disagreed, and being so used to supporting Leonardo I immediately agreed with my eldest son. When I look back on it, I really hadn't bothered to hear Raphael's thoughts and he took my reaction as a dismissal when it wasn't. It's important to establish Leonardo as the leader and if I agree with him, his brothers are more likely to agree with him. Leaping to a lower down rooftop my eyes scan the distance in hopes of spotting the red banded turtle. I had hoped that talking to Raphael in private might help him see reason and I did not want to risk another argument between the brothers.
Slowing to a walk I glance around the run down area. What was I thinking? I can try to convince myself I was right but Michelangelo and Donatello are correct. I was wrong tonight. I still refuse to belief I treat them any differently though. I love them all the same but the way Raphael had run from me in the sewers I can't help but question that.
As I continue my progress over the rooftops I notice a movement from my left side in the distance. Sinking into the shadows I follow the movements of the silent figure on the opposite roof. That figure almost certainly has a shell…