Now that it's summer break, I have a little bit more time to upload. Thoughts are in italics, as per usual. Enjoy!
After many redirectionings of Raph, the turtles all ended up in the dojo. Raph sat quietly with his shell against the wall. He listened to every word his brothers said, and which each fight, kick, and punch, he grew more and more envious.
Why did I have to go blind? Raph thought bitterly, curling his hands into fists. Why me? They need me; I'm the best fighter there is!
He got so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn't notice Splinter in front of him until he shook him lightly, jarring him out of his thoughts.
"Raphael?"
"Sorry, Sensei," Raph apologized, exhaling a deep breath to try and calm himself down; this wasn't Splinter's fault. "I was just... thinking." He paused, and not hearing his brothers, asked where they were.
Splinter hesitated a moment. "I believe they just left for patrol," he said carefully. Raph's shoulders sagged dejectedly.
"Did they just leave? I can catch up." He started to get to his feet, but Splinter rested a hand on his shoulder to keep him in place.
"No, Raphael." Splinter said it gently enough, but it still caused the familiar swell of frustration to bubble back up in his chest.
"Why not?" he snapped, shrugging Splinter's hand off of him.
"You know why, my son. You are still healing. You have not even begun to train with your new disability. You do not know your new limits. You could get hurt again, or even killed. It is a bad idea, and you know it, too."
Raph did know it; he just didn't like it.
"Why did this happen? Why me!? I can't even remember what happened to get me like this. I just... woke up and-" he trailed off, shoulders slumping again.
Splinter paused for a moment. "You do not remember what happened to you?"
Raph shook his head. "Donnie said I got hit in the back of the head."
"I believe the Kraang attacked you on patrol, and you were injured defending your brothers."
Raph narrowed his eyes. "I was defending them? Alright, who did I save?"
Splinter sighed, knowing that Raphael would find out eventually. "Michelangelo."
Be sure to R&R, especially if you want a quick update!