A/N: I'm so sorry for the short chapters. But, these last couple of prompts have really been giving me trouble. But, I hope you've been enjoying the chapters, nonetheless.
Disclaimer: see chapter one
The cool spring air did wonders to clear the cobwebs out of his mind. Raphael sat on the ledge of a roof, staring out across the city. The dark, festering mood had snaked its way back into the lair. And, just when things were getting back to normal. He had gotten into a small fight with Leonardo, though he had already forgotten what the fight was about. It must have been something stupid if he couldn't remember.
Raphael sighed and ran a hand over his face. He didn't know what was wrong with him. Why did he always have to ruin the peace and quiet they so rarely got a chance to enjoy? Splinter was getting worse and they were all scared. Raphael was beginning to wonder if maybe he had a fear of change. Thinking back, he had been almost impossible to live with after Spike had been mutated and disappeared. It was a major change; he had to live without his best friend, someone who had always been by his side. And now Splinter was slipping away. Just the thought of his father passing away was too much to bear.
Raphael wrapped his arms around himself and leaned forward. The days of happy family times seemed like an eternity ago; another lifetime. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. Suddenly, his T-Phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his belt and answered it.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Leo wants you back at the lair," Michelangelo's voice came on the other end.
Raphael's blood instantly began to boil. "I'll go back when I'm ready," he said.
There was a pause. "He said he wants you back now," Michelangelo replied. "He seems ticked off, dude. Better not provoke him."
Raphael growled and hung up, shoving his phone back into his belt. He got to his feet and stormed off back towards the lair.
Leonardo glared at the turnstiles. "Where is he?" he growled.
"Don't get mad at me, dude. I gave him the message," Michelangelo said from his place in the Pit.
Just then, Raphael walked through the turnstiles. "When the All Mighty Leonardo calls, everyone must answer," he declared as he entered the lair. "What does His Highness want with the lowly servant boy, this time?"
"How old are you?" Leonardo asked.
"Sixteen, apparently," Raphael replied. "Since I now have a curfew."
"Mature, Raph. Real mature," Leonardo commented.
"Hey, don't think that just because you're the head you get to dictate what I do," Raphael told him. "You're not my father."
"Splinter has entrusted me with all of your safety," Leonardo countered.
Raphael growled, clenching his hands into fists. "I'm twenty-nine, Leo. I can damn well do what I please. You're not Splinter. You can't boss me around."
"As long as you're living in this lair you will respect the head of the family," Leonardo told him.
Raphael felt something inside of him snap. Control. That's all Leonardo wanted: To control his brothers. Raphael reached behind him and pulled out a sai.
"I'll show you 'respect'," he snarled.
Before he knew what he was doing, Raphael struck. He vaguely heard someone cry out and it took him a minute to realize that Michelangelo had thrown himself in front of Leonardo.
"Mikey!" Donatello screamed.
Raphael's eyes widened in horror. He looked down at his weapon. The blade was coated in red. Raphael dropped the sai and backed away. Michelangelo fell to the floor, holding his bleeding arm to his chest. Donatello dropped to his knees beside his brother. Leonardo turned blazing blue eyes to his red masked brother.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he roared.
"I didn't...I didn't mean..." Raphael stammered.
Leonardo walked around Donatello and Michelangelo and loomed over Raphael; his eyes murderous. "To say you wish someone was never born is one thing. But, to strike out and attack a brother is another."
"Leo, I honestly never meant..."
"No, Raphael," Leonardo cut in. "This is the last straw." He held out his hand. "Your weapons and mask."
All eyes turned to Leonardo. Raphael felt his heart clench in icy panic.
"Leo," Michelangelo began.
"Your weapons and mask, Raphael," Leonardo repeated. "Now!"
Raphael slipped out his remaining sai and pulled off his mask. With shaking hands, he placed them in Leonardo's waiting hand.
"You're done with this family," the leader in blue said. "You no longer hold the name Hamato. Now, get out."
Raphael slowly backed away. Leonardo pulled out one of his swords.
"Get out!" he screamed.
With one final look at his little brothers, Raphael turned and ran.
"You're never to return here, again!" were the last words he heard before he disappeared into the sewers.
Reviews are welcome, flames are not
