*sigh* this month... I'm going to be happy when it is over. One Act, NaNo, finals.. *sighs, rubbing between eyes* Prayers are appreciated.

Anyway, this is already written, might as well get it to you.


Raph is in his third block class on Monday. The teacher is going over notes. Then the announcements come on. =Good afternoon students and staff. At this time, we will go through a storm drill. Please go to your safety area of the building-= the rest was drowned out by the class standing up and going out to the hallway.

Raph goes with and sits against one of the lockers. The teacher brings out a chair and a small white board. "Okay class, as I was saying-" he keeps talking. Some students were smart enough to bring their notebooks with. Raph is not one of them. He ignores the teacher and waits for the drill to be over.

When it finally is, he sits on his own and does try to focus on homework, because if he doesn't, he'll have to stay after. The bell rings and he goes to lunch, where he talks to no one. Finally, gym, where he takes his anger out on the basketball. He has to sit out for being too violent and then the bell rings again.

He walks out with his backpack and takes the passenger seat. But when he remembers who sits next to him, he switches to the back. 'Just get the day over with,' he grumbles. Leo and Donnie take their places in the front. They pick up Mikey.

"Hey dudes!" Mikey says, sitting in the back. He gets a mix of replies. When they are well on the way home, Leo tries to get a conversation going.

"So, Mikey," Leo says, "How is your latest comic?"

"It has Spike in it," Mikey says, looking through his backpack for it.

'Don't explain it,' Raph thinks. But his opinion is not heard. Mikey takes it out.

"Spike is lost and when the Turtle Raph finds him again, Spike had mutated via mutagen into a large spiky tortoise-" Raph's hands clench into tight fists.

"Shut up will ya!" Raph yells.

"Raph, cool it-" Leo tries.

"He was supposed to be working on a flier! Not mutating Spike!" Raph slaps Mikey's blond head, "Stupid!"

"Raph! Back off!" Leo says, threatening to stop the car.

"Just get off my case!" Raph yells. The car pulls into the driveway. Before it even stops, Raph opens his door and jumps out.

"Raph!" Donnie says, about to stress safety. But Raph is already inside. He walks straight to his room and slams the door. He stands there a moment, looking around. Then he goes to the empty part of one wall and bangs his fist against it. He does it again and again, but it doesn't help. He walks to the dojo and goes straight for the dummy. It receives his onslaught.

He can't get a grip of his emotions. He doesn't have control. He pauses a moment to give his hands a break. He feels something wet appear between a couple pairs of knuckles. Someone walks into the dojo in that moment. Raph doesn't turn to face them. "Anger is self-destructive."

Raph stares at the bag, then turns to Leo, "What should I do!" He yells. He stands there, panting. His lungs hurt, but he feels a little better. "Huh!? WHAT! SHOULD! I! DO!"

Leo's you-should-know-this face turns to weariness, "Tell someone, Raph. Tell somebody. If not me, if not Father, or our brothers, then someone else." Leo looks down, taking a breath. "I miss you, okay, the Raph we all know. ..I would really like him back," Leo turns and walks out of the dojo.

Raph goes back to the dummy and starts pounding at it again. 'I did, okay! I told Hazel! It didn't hel..p..' Raph stops and looks up. 'But I didn't tell her about Chloe. I almost did, I said something vague I think but.. Wait-' Raph face changes to shock, "I talked to Hazel about it?"


Mikey... not cool.

Leo is concerned for his brother. And he has every right to.

And, yeah Raph. You did talk to her about it. Remember? You two were in the hallway and you emptied your guts to her? ...Almost. Almost emptied your guts to her.

Anyone ready for him to finally get a good day? Because.. ahh, it isn't in the next few chapters.. :| I know... Character development takes time.

Plus, he's a stubborn little angsty character..