Disclaimer: I don't own TMNT.

Warnings: Angst, torture and goodbye

Mindless Babble: The last line is taken from the Mirage TMNT comic book.

dojo- practice area for martial arts

Otóosan- Father

kata- form or shape- in this instance a type of meditation or discipline that moves from one stance to another in a flowing motion.

ki- life-force

kanji- Japanese writing

beep-beep… beep-beep

It seemed as if all the light in the room was being collected into a sphere that hung over the injured turtle. The radiance began to swirl and reshape into the form of a humanoid turtle sitting cross-legged. His hands were folded in his lap as he looked at everyone in the small room.

"Raph?"

"Hiya, guys." A sad smile appeared on Raphael's face. "I don't have long, so I gotta make this quick.

"First off, let me make this perfectly clear. I am dying," Raph looked pointedly at Donnie. "There's nothing ya can do about it, so stop stressing, Don. Even if ya could keep me alive… well it sure wouldn't be pretty. Shredder took away my ability to walk."

Splinter bowed his head. He had suspected but had hoped otherwise. Raph noticed his sensei's sorrow.

"Master Splinter… Dad." Raph's smile seemed to finally reach his eyes. "Thank you."

The image of light laughed at the rat's confusion. "I know I was always a pain in the butt to teach, but you were always patient with me and for that I thank you. I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you how much I appreciated you as a teacher, father and especially a friend."

beep-beep…beep-beep

A touch of laughter touched his voice as he continued. "And while I'm handing out apologies, I owe you a huge one, Leo. I know my temper flared a lot when you and I got together, but I think that's 'cause we're too much alike. I hope you can forget about at least some of those fights and remember all the good times we had."

Raph turned his head to look at the pair of humans. "April, Casey? Take care of each other while I'm gone, 'kay? I'm not gonna be there ta watch your backs so the two of you'll have ta do it for me."

beep… beep

Raph turned to face what he had considered his youngest brother, all humor draining from his features. "Mikey. Look, I know we picked on each other a lot but I want you ta know that I never hated you. You were always the one I could talk to if I really needed to and … well, I love ya bro!"

Mikey couldn't take it anymore. "You can't leave, Raph! I don't care how messed up you are! I need you!"

Mikey wasn't the only one to weep at his outburst. Shimmering radiance flowed from orbs of light. Raph tried to smile.

"Sorry, Mikey. Where I go, you can't." Raph saw his brother about to protest. "No, Mikey. Don't even think that. I don't want you to follow me. You don't belong where I'm going. None of you do!"

beep…

Raph looked over his shoulder and then back to his family. The light seemed to be dispersing back into the room. "I'm sorry, but I hafta go now. I love you guys! Remember, we strike hard and fade away into the night..."

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeee…