Raphael sat in formal style, facing Splinter's futon, outwardly calm but wondering whether he was in major trouble for something. That was usually the case when Splinter called him into his room.

Splinter slowly opened a box of matches and lit the candles on the table to his side. Turning back to his son, he finally spoke. "Raphael." Raphael bowed, then looked up expectantly, and Splinter continued. "First of all, I wish to tell you how proud I am of you, my son."

Raphael was rather stunned to hear this. "Really?"

"Yes. When we left to talk to Mrs Jackson, it did not appear to me that you understood the situation very well. While it is true that you appeared to be unjustly accused, I felt that this was rather insignificant in the grand picture. "

Pressing his lips together, Raphael nodded. "Yeah, well, when I saw the look on Mrs Jackson's face, I just thought...jeez, this woman just lost her only kid..."

"Precisely. That was the grand picture."

"Well, why didn't you just tell me that?"

Splinter paused. "I considered doing so. But I did not believe that you would fully grasp the meaning. I felt that you would think I was minimizing your problem. I thought that perhaps it would be best if you discovered this on your own."

It was Raphael's turn to reflect. "Well, what if I didn't see it? What if I just...tore into her?"

Smiling slightly, Splinter said, "This is why I went along. In the event that you did not see." Bowing, Splinter added, "I am most proud that you did. Your words to Mrs Jackson were heartfelt and well-chosen." Raphael ducked his head, somewhat embarrassedly, and Splinter decided to move on. "Now, my son, I wish to talk with you."

Raphael was a bit disheartened. He hoped he was going to escape with just the accolades. "What about?"

"I believe that, in the war books that you enjoy reading, they call this a 'debriefing'. I feel it is important that we talk about what has occurred, and how it might affect you."

"Um, OK," said Raphael, uncertainly.

"Let us construct a possible scenario. Let us say that, tomorrow night, you encounter a situation much like you did before. A young girl, alone, crying on a fire escape. One who does not appear to be in any direct danger. What would you do?"

Raphael smirked a bit before muttering, "Run the other way."

Splinter's eyebrows went up. "Indeed?"

Growing serious, Raphael said, "Well, no. I wouldn't run, but I wouldn't talk with her."

"Why not?"

"Because...well, because. I don't want to go through all this crap again. Burned once, y'know." Splinter sat silently, staring at Raphael, until Raphael started thinking he had given the wrong answer. "What?"

Splinter remained quiet for a bit longer, then said, "So you feel it has not been worth it?"

"What hasn't been worth it?"

"Your...brief friendship with LaShawn," explained Splinter. "You feel the pain of losing her was too great?"

Raphael didn't really want to think about this. "C'mon, sensei, you saw me when I found out."

"So you wish that you had never met her?"

"What?"

"If it were in your power, would you make it so you had never met LaShawn, in order to avoid the pain you feel when she died?" Raphael paused in thought, and Splinter continued the train of thought. "If April were to die today, would you wish you had never met her? Or Mondo? Or myself?"

Raphael closed his eyes and firmly shook his head. "No, of course not."

Splinter put his hand on Raphael's knee. "I do not mean to cause you distress, my son. I simply wish you to see the situation clearly. Yes, losing LaShawn was very painful. But it was painful specifically because she meant something to you. Because she was a positive influence in your life. Do you understand?"

Raphael nodded, crossing his arms and putting his hands on his shoulders. "Yeah, I guess." He looked up at Splinter. "But Sensei, why? Why does it hurt so much?"

Splinter sighed before answering. "You must remember, my son, that life is ephemeral. All living things will die. And in this case, she died very young. The pain is perhaps more acute because there is a sense of incompleteness - your relationship with her had just begun when it ended."

Biting his lip, Raphael nodded. He didn't trust himself not to cry again.

Splinter went on. "However, I would ask that you turn this tragedy into a positive experience."

"Positive!" Raphael blurted out. "How can anything positive come out of a kid getting murdered?"

"Not necessarily from the murder, but from your relationship with LaShawn. She somehow managed to get you to open up to her, something you do not do often. I hope that you will not let her death also signal the end of your openness."

"So now you want me to go around talking to people?" Raphael asked, somewhat bitterly. "I thought we were supposed to be ninjas - art of invisibility and all that."

"Indeed, you are correct, my son. When it comes to fighting the Foot, the less you are seen, the better."

Splinter paused, and Raphael egged him on. "Yeah, so?"

"However, it would appear that some - not all - of my fears may have been misplaced."

"What fears?"

"My fears of human interaction. When we first mutated, it was my understanding that we must limit our interaction with humans as much as possible. But as time passes, we are ever expanding our relationships. And many of the relationships have proven most helpful."

"So now you're saying all bets are off?"

Splinter smiled a bit. "No, my son. We most likely should continue to err on the side of caution. But I no longer believe absolute avoidance is essential. There are times when talking to people is beneficial. I believe Donatello, and Michelangelo especially, have a good grasp on this. I hope you and Leonardo will learn this lesson as well, from their example."

Raphael frowned a bit. "Well, I dunno. It's...well, it's a lot easier to just...not talk to everybody...than it is to figure out who I'm s'posed to talk to, y'know?"

"Understood. As I said, you should err on the side of caution. But do not feel you must not talk to someone simply because they are human, or because you are afraid of any pain that might ensue." Raphael nodded, and Splinter smiled. "Thank you for listening to me, my son. We may rejoin the others if you wish."

"Sure, OK."

Splinter blew out the candles next to him as Raphael started to stand up. Suddenly, Raphael paused, with a worried look on his face.

Concerned, Splinter asked, "What is it, my son?"

"Nothing."

"Surely it is not nothing. What is it that troubles you?"

Raphael sat down and vaguely moved his hand in a circle. "Just, um, something you said. Earlier."

"Yes?"

"You asked me how I'd feel if, y'know, you died?"

"Yes?" said Splinter again.

Raphael looked down and mumbled, "Well, if you do die, um, what's gonna happen to us?"

Splinter smiled sadly. "My son, this is an unfortunate possibility that every parent must confront, and I would truly be amiss had I not considered it. I have spoken to Mitake. If anything should happen to me, you will make your home with him."

"Really? Isn't his place kinda...small?"

"It would perhaps not be an ideal situation. But I believe it would be more likely than convincing him to live down here."

Raphael smiled a bit, in spite of himself. "Yeah, I guess."

Splinter stood up and smiled again. "Do not worry yourself needlessly, my son. It is always wise to plan for any possibility, but I do not anticipate leaving this world any time soon." Splinter opened his arms, and Raphael - somewhat self-consciously - walked in and accepted the hug. He always felt awkward doing this, but deep down, he felt somewhat by his sensei's presence. Stepping out from the hug, Raphael made sure his eyes were dry, squared his shoulders, and headed out to face his brothers.