The Thing Part 20
Leo swallowed from talking so much. He had done most of it, but Donnie and Mikey had helped on bits they didn't think he should say. April, Casey and Splinter had been quiet. Now they stared. Leo watched his brother. ¦Um, something's wrong . . . He seems to be taking it rather well-¦
"WHAT!?"
¦- Ah, maybe not . . .¦
Raph jumped to his feet. "You're telling me I died?"
Leo nodded. Donnie and Mikey slowly brought out a cushion, from behind them on the couch, each and held it protectively in front of themselves. April flinched and Casey found himself interested in the TV again . . . Problem was it wasn't on. Splinter remained calm, though his eyes widened a bit in alarm.
Raph looked at them all. They avoided his gaze. He looked back at Leo, who met him eye to eye.
" . . . You're kiddin' me right . . .?"
His brother in blue shook his head, still keeping eye contact. Raph stared, then looked away. He ran his hand over his face, grinding his teeth.
"Raph, listen," Leo started. "You've had a tough time with all this, so why don't you go back to bed and think about it there?"
Raph said nothing. He wasn't even looking at Leo now. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
For one amazing second, Leo actually thought Raph was going to bed - and proved right!
Raph, though they didn't know whether he had head Leo, started to make his way to his room, totally lost in his head. He didn't even seem to be looking where he was going and walked straight into Leo and Donnie's room.
Everyone stared at each other, totally amazed. Leo's realised his mouth was open and he quickly shut it. Donnie and Mikey were still staring at the car and turned around.
"S-should he have done that?" Mikey asked.
"Raph's laws are 'never obey Leo'. No he shouldn't have done that," Donnie said. They both stared at Leo.
" . . . Erm . . . " Leo was dumbfounded.
Mikey found all this quite funny. "Don't worry dudes. He'll get back to normal and then we can tease him about it!"
"Michelangelo," Splinter gave his son a warning glance and Mikey wiped his grin. "We must give Raphael some time. It was a big thing for him to listen to and take in."
Everyone nodded. Casey really wished he could put that TV on. But the remote was near Leo, so Casey stared at the screen, willing it to turn on.
"We should all continue the morning . . . Michelangelo, I believe you can make a nice breakfast to start with."
Mikey grinned. "Sure Master Splin'ner!" Mikey got up and busied himself in the kitchen.
Casey got up. "Well, forgive me for cutting the group, but I have to get back to my place before any creeps realise it ain't locked."
"Yeah, see ya later Casey," Donnie nodded.
"Yeah you too, and Ape, don't forget our little get- together later on," Casey grinned and turned away from all the smirking faces to grab his hockey mask from the coat hanger. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Leo. Everyone in the background were teasing April.
"Casey, I just wanted to say thanks . . . You know, for bringing Raph back. If it weren't for you then . . ." Leo trailed off. "Thanks."
"Hey, forget it," Casey said. "And if was M'reagro who dug him up . . . Thanks go out to him, wherever he is, hey tell me about what happened to the two of them when you see me again."
"Yeah, Splinter hasn't told us yet . . ." Leo sighed and frowned at the floor.
"Wassup?"
"Ah, nothing, you go, I don't want your place broke into, see ya Casey."
"Bye," He disappeared into the dim-lighted sewers.
Leo turned back and stared at everyone. Mikey and Donnie were sat near April, trying to get her to tell them what this 'get-together' was about. April refused to tell them.
Splinter looked up at Leo. He could sense guilt, and could see something troubling him.
"What is wrong, Leonardo?"
Leo looked up and everyone stopped to listen.
"Ah . . . Well, I just feel . . . Really guilty . . ."
"Why?" Mikey asked.
"If it's what I'm guilty about, then I feel a lot more," Donnie said.
"What?" Mikey asked.
Leo walked up to the couch. "Well, I feel guilty because we left Raph under that pile . . . What if Casey hadn't been there? Or what if he had decided to walk back with us and M'reagro didn't dig into that wood . . .? We'd have never . . . Had him back . . ."
" . . .Oh . . ." Mikey said, face dropping.
"I feel bad because I told Casey to leave it," Donnie said. "I was the one who told us we should go . . . I guess we owe more than we think to M'reagro . . ."
Leo and Mikey nodded.
"It doesn't do good to dwell on the past events," Splinter spoke up. "We have Raphael with us, safe and well. Let us only live in the here and now, and be thankful."
The others nodded. April could see the guilt on Leo's face. It seemed to torment him more for some reason, though Donnie still showed a great amount.
"Raph's strong, he'll get over this . . ." April said.
"Yeah, you're right," Leo said. "Though . . . I just can't stop feeling so damn guilty . . . How could he forgive me for leaving him, as the leader? . . .I mean, what if it HAD killed him? . . . I would have never go to say . . . I love him . . .
"Raph knows that anyway, Leo," Donnie said.
"I'm just . . . Happy he's okay . . ." Leo smiled.
//
Raph laid in bed, staring at the bottom on the top bunk. He had just heard everything they said and it surprised him. He was sat on Donnie's bed, right next to the computer. It hummed softly next to him, but for some reason it didn't annoy him as much as it should have done. He hardly noticed it. ¦How can they all have said that? I annoy the shells off my brothers.¦ Raph blinked and he heard Mikey yelp in surprise as he realised he had left the breakfast on the old cooker. Raph couldn't help but smile. His brother in orange had always made him laugh on the inside and out, though mostly on the inside. He could hear the chuckles of April and his brothers. Now he could smell something, something good. Mikey always had been able to coax any of them to eat when they weren't feeling well. Right now Raph's stomach growled, but he ignored it. He didn't want to go out there, not just yet. Leo's words kept repeating themselves in his head. 'I love him' . . . Raph never thought he would hear that coming from Leo to him. But it always seems that events like this always bring out the true person within. Raph hated to admit it, but he was afraid to bring his true self out. He sighed and closed is eyes. He wasn't as tired as he should be, but he was getting fed up with staring at an old mattress. ¦Why was I given a second chance? I don't deserve one . . .¦ Raph opened his eyes. He couldn't lay here like this. He had only come here to get away from everyone's eyes and to think about what had happened to him yesterday. He realised what Master Splinter said was true. No good dwelling in the past, you can't do anything about it, can't change it. So what's the point in thinking about it? What was there to think about? He died, he lived, he's here now. That's all that matters, he's here, alive.
//
"What's wrong Donnie?" Mikey asked as he gave Splinter a bowl of soup.
"Ah, nothing, I just wanted to use my computer, but it can wait. I don't wanna wake Raph."
"You won't." Raph said, standing in the doorway. Everyone looked up.
"Hey Raph, I made some soup for ya, didn't know if you were awake for it yet though." Mikey said as he returned to the kitchen.
Raph nodded and sat himself down on the couch near April. He knew everyone was trying not to look at him. Mikey came up to him with a bowl and a spoon.
"Here ya go, soup," Mikey grinned.
"Thanks, Mike," Raph took it and his stomach growled again.
"Hey, Leo, let's see what's on TV," Mikey said as he passed Leo, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, the remote nearest him.
Leo smiled. "Sure, Mikey." He picked up the remote and turned on the TV. It was the news on channel one.
" . . . Many witnesses saw unusual activity going on around the old Scientific Research Laboratory . . ."
Everyone looked up at it and Mikey came in with his own bowl after everyone else had theirs.
" . . . Some say they saw three unusual figures walk out of the building, accompanied by a woman. That was, according to one man, about half an hour after loud noises silenced from the building, and screams stopped. Another fifteen minutes later others reported a man and a huge figure walking out and disappearing. Police have looked into this and have come back with shocking news. Down in the basement section of the Laboratory, there were many horribly mutilated bodies and something unrecognisable under a large cracked crate. The police and FBI found two different blood spills, which are being taken in for identification from the wood, one belonging to the mutilated being, the other unknown . . ."
The TV showed the basement and the huge pile of broken wood and crates.
There was a clang and everyone turned their gaze from the TV to Raph, who had dropped his spoon. He blinked and looked down at it, then picked it up.
Donnie turned back to the TV. "They found another blood type . . . That must be Raph's."
"Oh, great . . ." Leo said, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Don't worry, I can delete everything from the computers if I can hack into their system," Donnie said.
"Yeah, but we need to get rid of the samples they have," Leo sighed. He looked at Donnie, and they met a decision between them.
"Ah man, my boss is gunna be . . . mad," April stood up. "I ought to get home," She looked like she wanted to stay though. She glanced at Raph.
He smiled. "Hey, no sweat, I'm fine, don't worry 'bout me. You go."
April grinned and hugged him, but drew back quickly when he winced.
"Opps, sorry," she said. April got up and hurriedly put on her coat. "I'll be back later. Bye guys . . ." She smiled at them all, her eyes stayed on Raph a second longer, then she was gone.
Mikey turned off the TV and took everyone's bowls back to the kitchen. He came back out, with nothing to do said, "hey Donnie, wanna spar?"
Donnie smiled. "You're on." He and Mikey went over to the dojo and picked different weapons than their own.
Splinter stood up. "I think I will go to my room and meditate," He moved to his car.
Leo stood up. "But Master, weren't you going to tell us what happened the Frakly and M'reagro?"
"I need to gather my thoughts first, forgive me, but I will tell you later." Splinter disappeared into his room, shutting the door behind him.
Leo and Raph were left in awkward silence.
Raph figured he ought to say something.
"Hey, Leo. Don't feel guilty about . . . You know . . ."
Leo frowned. "You heard?"
" . . . Yeah. I just . . . Well, did you really mean that . . . What you said?"
Leo could tell this was difficult for Raph. "Yeah . . . All of it."
Raph looked at him, then back at the floor. "Thanks . . ."
"Hey, you're my brother. Even if you are a pain in the butt sometimes, and stubborn and just plain idiotic . . ." Leo watched as Raph looked at him. "You're my brother . . . And I'll always love you . . ."
(Should it end here? Should I be evil and leave it right here? Hehe, I still have to put in the explanation about Frakly and M'reagro...don't expect nothing big, hehe. Okay, thanks for the reviews, I think I've said that a lot of times but thanks! I swear I've forgotten something, oh well, it'll come to me).
Leo swallowed from talking so much. He had done most of it, but Donnie and Mikey had helped on bits they didn't think he should say. April, Casey and Splinter had been quiet. Now they stared. Leo watched his brother. ¦Um, something's wrong . . . He seems to be taking it rather well-¦
"WHAT!?"
¦- Ah, maybe not . . .¦
Raph jumped to his feet. "You're telling me I died?"
Leo nodded. Donnie and Mikey slowly brought out a cushion, from behind them on the couch, each and held it protectively in front of themselves. April flinched and Casey found himself interested in the TV again . . . Problem was it wasn't on. Splinter remained calm, though his eyes widened a bit in alarm.
Raph looked at them all. They avoided his gaze. He looked back at Leo, who met him eye to eye.
" . . . You're kiddin' me right . . .?"
His brother in blue shook his head, still keeping eye contact. Raph stared, then looked away. He ran his hand over his face, grinding his teeth.
"Raph, listen," Leo started. "You've had a tough time with all this, so why don't you go back to bed and think about it there?"
Raph said nothing. He wasn't even looking at Leo now. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
For one amazing second, Leo actually thought Raph was going to bed - and proved right!
Raph, though they didn't know whether he had head Leo, started to make his way to his room, totally lost in his head. He didn't even seem to be looking where he was going and walked straight into Leo and Donnie's room.
Everyone stared at each other, totally amazed. Leo's realised his mouth was open and he quickly shut it. Donnie and Mikey were still staring at the car and turned around.
"S-should he have done that?" Mikey asked.
"Raph's laws are 'never obey Leo'. No he shouldn't have done that," Donnie said. They both stared at Leo.
" . . . Erm . . . " Leo was dumbfounded.
Mikey found all this quite funny. "Don't worry dudes. He'll get back to normal and then we can tease him about it!"
"Michelangelo," Splinter gave his son a warning glance and Mikey wiped his grin. "We must give Raphael some time. It was a big thing for him to listen to and take in."
Everyone nodded. Casey really wished he could put that TV on. But the remote was near Leo, so Casey stared at the screen, willing it to turn on.
"We should all continue the morning . . . Michelangelo, I believe you can make a nice breakfast to start with."
Mikey grinned. "Sure Master Splin'ner!" Mikey got up and busied himself in the kitchen.
Casey got up. "Well, forgive me for cutting the group, but I have to get back to my place before any creeps realise it ain't locked."
"Yeah, see ya later Casey," Donnie nodded.
"Yeah you too, and Ape, don't forget our little get- together later on," Casey grinned and turned away from all the smirking faces to grab his hockey mask from the coat hanger. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Leo. Everyone in the background were teasing April.
"Casey, I just wanted to say thanks . . . You know, for bringing Raph back. If it weren't for you then . . ." Leo trailed off. "Thanks."
"Hey, forget it," Casey said. "And if was M'reagro who dug him up . . . Thanks go out to him, wherever he is, hey tell me about what happened to the two of them when you see me again."
"Yeah, Splinter hasn't told us yet . . ." Leo sighed and frowned at the floor.
"Wassup?"
"Ah, nothing, you go, I don't want your place broke into, see ya Casey."
"Bye," He disappeared into the dim-lighted sewers.
Leo turned back and stared at everyone. Mikey and Donnie were sat near April, trying to get her to tell them what this 'get-together' was about. April refused to tell them.
Splinter looked up at Leo. He could sense guilt, and could see something troubling him.
"What is wrong, Leonardo?"
Leo looked up and everyone stopped to listen.
"Ah . . . Well, I just feel . . . Really guilty . . ."
"Why?" Mikey asked.
"If it's what I'm guilty about, then I feel a lot more," Donnie said.
"What?" Mikey asked.
Leo walked up to the couch. "Well, I feel guilty because we left Raph under that pile . . . What if Casey hadn't been there? Or what if he had decided to walk back with us and M'reagro didn't dig into that wood . . .? We'd have never . . . Had him back . . ."
" . . .Oh . . ." Mikey said, face dropping.
"I feel bad because I told Casey to leave it," Donnie said. "I was the one who told us we should go . . . I guess we owe more than we think to M'reagro . . ."
Leo and Mikey nodded.
"It doesn't do good to dwell on the past events," Splinter spoke up. "We have Raphael with us, safe and well. Let us only live in the here and now, and be thankful."
The others nodded. April could see the guilt on Leo's face. It seemed to torment him more for some reason, though Donnie still showed a great amount.
"Raph's strong, he'll get over this . . ." April said.
"Yeah, you're right," Leo said. "Though . . . I just can't stop feeling so damn guilty . . . How could he forgive me for leaving him, as the leader? . . .I mean, what if it HAD killed him? . . . I would have never go to say . . . I love him . . .
"Raph knows that anyway, Leo," Donnie said.
"I'm just . . . Happy he's okay . . ." Leo smiled.
//
Raph laid in bed, staring at the bottom on the top bunk. He had just heard everything they said and it surprised him. He was sat on Donnie's bed, right next to the computer. It hummed softly next to him, but for some reason it didn't annoy him as much as it should have done. He hardly noticed it. ¦How can they all have said that? I annoy the shells off my brothers.¦ Raph blinked and he heard Mikey yelp in surprise as he realised he had left the breakfast on the old cooker. Raph couldn't help but smile. His brother in orange had always made him laugh on the inside and out, though mostly on the inside. He could hear the chuckles of April and his brothers. Now he could smell something, something good. Mikey always had been able to coax any of them to eat when they weren't feeling well. Right now Raph's stomach growled, but he ignored it. He didn't want to go out there, not just yet. Leo's words kept repeating themselves in his head. 'I love him' . . . Raph never thought he would hear that coming from Leo to him. But it always seems that events like this always bring out the true person within. Raph hated to admit it, but he was afraid to bring his true self out. He sighed and closed is eyes. He wasn't as tired as he should be, but he was getting fed up with staring at an old mattress. ¦Why was I given a second chance? I don't deserve one . . .¦ Raph opened his eyes. He couldn't lay here like this. He had only come here to get away from everyone's eyes and to think about what had happened to him yesterday. He realised what Master Splinter said was true. No good dwelling in the past, you can't do anything about it, can't change it. So what's the point in thinking about it? What was there to think about? He died, he lived, he's here now. That's all that matters, he's here, alive.
//
"What's wrong Donnie?" Mikey asked as he gave Splinter a bowl of soup.
"Ah, nothing, I just wanted to use my computer, but it can wait. I don't wanna wake Raph."
"You won't." Raph said, standing in the doorway. Everyone looked up.
"Hey Raph, I made some soup for ya, didn't know if you were awake for it yet though." Mikey said as he returned to the kitchen.
Raph nodded and sat himself down on the couch near April. He knew everyone was trying not to look at him. Mikey came up to him with a bowl and a spoon.
"Here ya go, soup," Mikey grinned.
"Thanks, Mike," Raph took it and his stomach growled again.
"Hey, Leo, let's see what's on TV," Mikey said as he passed Leo, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, the remote nearest him.
Leo smiled. "Sure, Mikey." He picked up the remote and turned on the TV. It was the news on channel one.
" . . . Many witnesses saw unusual activity going on around the old Scientific Research Laboratory . . ."
Everyone looked up at it and Mikey came in with his own bowl after everyone else had theirs.
" . . . Some say they saw three unusual figures walk out of the building, accompanied by a woman. That was, according to one man, about half an hour after loud noises silenced from the building, and screams stopped. Another fifteen minutes later others reported a man and a huge figure walking out and disappearing. Police have looked into this and have come back with shocking news. Down in the basement section of the Laboratory, there were many horribly mutilated bodies and something unrecognisable under a large cracked crate. The police and FBI found two different blood spills, which are being taken in for identification from the wood, one belonging to the mutilated being, the other unknown . . ."
The TV showed the basement and the huge pile of broken wood and crates.
There was a clang and everyone turned their gaze from the TV to Raph, who had dropped his spoon. He blinked and looked down at it, then picked it up.
Donnie turned back to the TV. "They found another blood type . . . That must be Raph's."
"Oh, great . . ." Leo said, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Don't worry, I can delete everything from the computers if I can hack into their system," Donnie said.
"Yeah, but we need to get rid of the samples they have," Leo sighed. He looked at Donnie, and they met a decision between them.
"Ah man, my boss is gunna be . . . mad," April stood up. "I ought to get home," She looked like she wanted to stay though. She glanced at Raph.
He smiled. "Hey, no sweat, I'm fine, don't worry 'bout me. You go."
April grinned and hugged him, but drew back quickly when he winced.
"Opps, sorry," she said. April got up and hurriedly put on her coat. "I'll be back later. Bye guys . . ." She smiled at them all, her eyes stayed on Raph a second longer, then she was gone.
Mikey turned off the TV and took everyone's bowls back to the kitchen. He came back out, with nothing to do said, "hey Donnie, wanna spar?"
Donnie smiled. "You're on." He and Mikey went over to the dojo and picked different weapons than their own.
Splinter stood up. "I think I will go to my room and meditate," He moved to his car.
Leo stood up. "But Master, weren't you going to tell us what happened the Frakly and M'reagro?"
"I need to gather my thoughts first, forgive me, but I will tell you later." Splinter disappeared into his room, shutting the door behind him.
Leo and Raph were left in awkward silence.
Raph figured he ought to say something.
"Hey, Leo. Don't feel guilty about . . . You know . . ."
Leo frowned. "You heard?"
" . . . Yeah. I just . . . Well, did you really mean that . . . What you said?"
Leo could tell this was difficult for Raph. "Yeah . . . All of it."
Raph looked at him, then back at the floor. "Thanks . . ."
"Hey, you're my brother. Even if you are a pain in the butt sometimes, and stubborn and just plain idiotic . . ." Leo watched as Raph looked at him. "You're my brother . . . And I'll always love you . . ."
(Should it end here? Should I be evil and leave it right here? Hehe, I still have to put in the explanation about Frakly and M'reagro...don't expect nothing big, hehe. Okay, thanks for the reviews, I think I've said that a lot of times but thanks! I swear I've forgotten something, oh well, it'll come to me).