So here's the second to last chapter. Whoo-Hoo! I'm almost done (eyes grow wide as the plot bunnies for the sequel are staring her in the face). Scratch that last statement. Oh well. As least it's fun to write this stuff. As always, Read and Review. Thanks Much!

BTW: I have no idea what Splinter's room looks like so I'm guessing here.


After a shower and clean clothes Raphael stretched out on his bed. He stared blankly at the ceiling and thought about the strange turn his life had taken in the past week. Didn't think this would ever happen. I didn't even know I had a family. He placed his hands behind his head as he mulled over the idea. What if once these guys get to know me, they don't like me? What happens when they find out about all the stuff I've done? They definitely have higher morals than me. He rubbed his face with his hands, trying to force out the feelings of apprehension and sat up. He pulled his legs up to his chest and started thinking out loud. "I wish I could remember," he turned and looked at the stuffed tiger, now perched on the desk. "You don't have any clues do you?"

Silence.

Frowning at the little cloth animal, he dropped his chin on his knees. "Didn't think so."

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. "Raph?" a voice called from the other side of the door.

He stood up and strolled over to the door. Leonardo was standing in the doorway. "Hey."

Raphael finished opening the door all the way and went back to sitting on the bed. "What's up?"

Leonardo walked into the room. "Master Splinter asked me to come get you. He said he wanted to speak with you."

Raphael stood up and slipped his shoes on. "What's going on? I haven't gotten into trouble already, have I?" His grin showed Leo he was joking.

"No, no. Nothing like that. He just wanted to talk to you about something before everyone else gets here." He shrugged his shoulders and started walking out the door. "I think he just had a few questions to ask. You know, just a little chat."

"Oh, okay," Raphael had to wonder what he wanted to talk about. Probably my attitude first thing this morning, he thought to himself. He stopped as Leonardo continued walking down the steps.

Realizing his brother wasn't behind him, Leonardo stopped and looked back up at Raphael. "Something wrong?"

Rapahel went to open his mouth to try and apologize, but nothing came out. Frustrated, he looked up at the ceiling and sighed.

"Raph?"

The larger turtle walked down the steps below Leonardo so he was eye level with him. He took a deep breath and forced the word out. "Look," he started. "I was a real jackass to you this morning before breakfast. I'm sorry."

"I appreciate that," Leo said, slightly thrown off guard by the apology.

"Yeah, well don't get used to it. I don't do it that often," and he started walking towards Splinters room. He stopped when he felt Leonardo's hand on his arm. "What?" he questioned.

"Look Raph," Leonardo stared at the floor. "The night you disappeared," He paused trying to think of the right thing to say. "I really need to tell you about that."

"Leo whatever happened….." he turned to look at Splinter's doorway. "Splinter's waiting on me." He walked backwards toward the entranceway, eyeing his brother. "You can tell me about it later," and he stepped inside the door to Splinter's room.

Raphael shut the door and turned around. What he saw amazed him. Splinter's room seemed worlds away from the rest of the underground lair. More peaceful. He remained in the doorway and slowly took in his surroundings. While his eyes observed the various objects in the room, his sense of smell was overcome with incense as it hung heavy in the air.

"Please Raphael," Splinter spoke. "Do not linger in the doorway. Come in."

Doing as he was told, Raphael walked in completely. Remembering from earlier, he left his shoes at the entrance and sat down on a pillow opposite Splinter.

The old rat began to pour himself a cup of tea. "Would you like some Raphael?"

Seeing that a cup was already in place for him, he nodded yes. How much tea do these guys go through?

"The teas have different purposes. Some have a calming effect, some are for formal ceremonies, and some are medicinal in purpose, while others are meant for pure enjoyment." Splinter finished pouring both cups and indicated for Raphael to take his and drink.

Amazed that his father knew what he was thinking, Raphael had to ask. "You're not psychic are you?"

Splinter laughed a little while Raphael eyed him, not sure what was so funny. "No Raphael," he began to explain. "I do not read minds. I do however read faces fairly well."

"Riiiiiiiiiight."

"Do not worry, you are not the first of your brothers to ask that question." He took another sip of his tea. "They have all asked me at one point in time."

"So," Raphael decided to take control of the conversation. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Well," he stroked at the fur on his chin. "I suppose I should start with the smaller issues first." Splinter put his tea down and looked Raphael in the eye.

"I knew it was coming," he sighed. "I already apologized to Leo for this morning," Raphael admitted.

Taken by surprise from Raphael's confession, the old rat just grinned. "Now who is the mind reader?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. It just seemed like the most logical thing." He leaned back on his right arm, shifting his weight. "So what else did you want to ask? You said you were starting off small." The young turtle tilted his head back and swallowed the last bit of his tea. Not bad he told himself. Minty.

"You never did answer my question yesterday evening." Splinter refilled both their cups. "The other voice, who did it belong to?"

Raphael used both hands to grab a hold of his mug. Gripping it tightly kept his hands from shaking so much. He eyed the room, looking for something, anything that he could switch the conversation to.

Splinter noticed the apprehension and tried again, "Raphael? Avoiding the question will not make it go away."

Raphael stared at the tea in his cup, "Overseer," he whispered.

Splinter noticed how Raphael began to fidget, playing with his cup, pulling at the edge of his pant leg. "Who was that?" he continued to probe. He hated putting his son through this, but he knew that keeping such things inside would eventually take their toll.

Raphael put the cup down on the table and stood up. He walked over to one of the walls and stared blankly at a scroll. "He was the guy in charge," he finally answered. "My boss."

Not really wanting to answer another question, Raphael turned around quickly and asked one of his own. "Why do they call you 'Master?"

Splinter thought for a moment about the best way to answer. "It is a term of respect. In the dojo, I am the teacher, a master in the art of ninjitsu."

Raphael's finger ran across some small wind chimes, eliciting a delicate sound. "Oh," he turned to look at his father. "Do I have to call you that?"

"Is there a reason you would choose not to?" the old rat was really curious now. His whiskers twitched and he stroked the fur of his chin, wondering what reason his son would give.

Raphael moved down the wall to the next item on the shelf. He nervously shoved his right hand in his pocket. His left one flicked at the leaves of a small bonsai. Splinter watched and waited.

"When I was little," Raphael started. "I was scared of the dark." He turned once more to look at Splinter. "Do you know why?"

Splinter merely shook his head 'no' as Raphael returned to the bonsai and continued talking.

"I remember being asleep and then seeing this bright light shining in my eyes."

(flashback)

"Wake up mutant," a menacing voice growled.

The little turtle opened his eyes and squinted at the white light that pierced the darkness. The young turtle tried to cover his eyes but his arm was slapped away. "Who's there?" he called out.

The only answer he received was the pressure of a sharp metal object on his neck, the light still blocking his vision. "Please," he begged. "Who are you?"

"I am your master you filthy little creature. If you want to live, you will do as you are instructed," the voice paused for a moment. "Do you understand me?"

"Yes………yes sir," he stuttered.

WHAP! He felt a sting on his cheek.

"Wrong answer mutant! Now," the little turtle once again felt a cold sharp point pressed into his neck. "Answer correctly or I will kill you," the voice ordered.

"Yes………Master," he answered, tears forming in his eyes.

"Very good. It is capable of learning," was the only answer. "Now," he continued. "If you tell anyone about our discussion," Raphael felt the pressure of the blade as it was pushed harder onto his throat, "I will kill Jacob and Caitlin. Then you."

(end flashback)

"When I woke up the next morning, Caitlin asked me about the bruises on my face." Raphael went back and sat down next to Splinter instead of across from him.

"What did you tell Caitlin?" Splinter inquired.

Raphael drew his legs up to his chest and rested his chin on his knees. "I told her I fell out of bed." He paused for a moment. "I used that excuse so much, she must have thought I was a real klutz."

Realizing what his son was insinuating, Splinter placed a comforting hand on Raphael's back. "If you prefer, you may simply refer to me as 'Sensei' during training."

"Okay," Raphael agreed. "Any other time, I gotta call you something else."

"What would you suggest?"

Raphael turned to look the old rat in the eye and wit a hopeful voice, asked, "I was hoping I could just call you……..dad."

With tears brimming in his eyes, Splinter leaned over and hugged Raphael. "I would be honored my son." He felt Raphael's arms wrap around him as he returned the gesture.

After a moment of silence, Splinter let go of Raphael. "It is almost 2 O'clock. Your friends will be here soon." He wiped his eyes one last time. "I am sure you will want to be out there to greet them."

Raphael stood up and offered his hand to Splinter. The rat took the assistance and stood up. "I am afraid my bones are getting old."

The two stepped out of Splinters room and were immediately hit with the smell of food. Delicious food. Raphael's mouth began to water as he walked over to the table. It was covered in dishes that looked even better than they smelled. Stir fry, dumplings, rice, egg foo young, egg rolls, lo mein, wontons, and a huge platter of sushi, he licked his lips looking at it. "Mike," Raphael stood amazed. "You made all this?" he began to pick at the crispy fried wontons.

Leonardo and Donatello managed to sneak some food while Michelangelo was busy with Raphael. Michelangelo slapped his hand away but not before he managed to put one in his mouth. "Wait for everyone to get here."

As if on cue, the elevator doors opened and four humans walked in, each had their arms filled with boxes. Raphael turned as he heard a familiar and well missed voice call out, "Raphael!"

Immediately Caitlin dropped her box on top of the stack Jake was carrying and went running across the room squealing.

"Caitlin!" the large turtle shouted and picked her up in a huge bear hug. Giggling she hugged him back, "I missed you," he whispered in her ear.

"Hey now," Jake interrupted, with a mischievous tone to his voice. He put his load down on the couch and looked back at the two. "Don't you think you've had your hands on my wife long enough?"

Raphael put Caitlin down slowly and watched as she stepped back into Jake and he placed his hands around her waist. Smiling, the large turtle looked hopefully at the two.

With a big grin and his eyes wide, Jake looked at Raphael, "Surprise."