FOLLOW THE LEADER I - IT'S NO GOOD
I – LAST OF THE MILK CARTON
"Raph, I don't trust you, to be honest."
"I'm so fed up with yer self-importance, ya now that, ya shitty excuse of a leader!"
"Why are you being so selfish?"
"So it's selfish ta have some privacy and a life that ain't revolving around ya, Fearless, huh?"
"No, but it's selfish to endanger us, Raph. And you know it."
"I'm damn curious ta know why ya think I've put yer sorry ass in danger. Ya know nothin' 'bout me, so fuck off!"
"And that's the thing, Raph. You see, how am I supposed to trust when I don't know --"
"Sotrustin' is the same thing as knowin' now??"
"Quit being such an idiot, Raphael. I am very well aware of what you did on that night and it put our family in great danger --"
"Ya know nothin', Leo, and I'm not gonna report ya my personal business!"
"Here we go again", Donatello buried his face into his hands after watching few minutes his two brothers arguing over nothing. Michelangelo padded his brother's arm in order to comfort him.
"I know, dude. It's like the mornin' teethbrushing; Ya hate it, but can't start the day without it."
"Well, that's not exactly what I meant, but close enough", Don sneered.
"It's always you feeling this or you feeling that! Raph, if you only did some thinking more --"
"Oh no, Fearless! It's ya who think too big thoughts fer yer brain. Leave the thinkin' ta our Brainiac here, before ya forget how ta use yer instincts, bro."
"Leonardo. Raphael. Enough!"
Master Splinter entered the kitchen letting his inquiring glance hit every one of his sons. The two quarreller backed off a little, still staring daggers at each other.
"I see mere two different ways to approach a matter, but no reason to argue", he told locking his gaze at the troublemaking sons. Almost reluctantly Leonardo took his eyes off from his brother, who still seemed ready to attack in any minute.
"You should rather take heed from each other than fight."
"Yes,sensei, you're absolutely right", Leo nodded a little. Raph gave a faintly snort, not giving any gestures of submission.
"What is the reason of the argument?" Splinter asked while he slowly paced to his teakettle, sounding more bored than angry,
"Leonardo's brain capacity? Or was it Raphael's feelings?" he added with a little amusement in his voice which made Don chuckle a bit. Before either one of the warring brothers had the chance to answer the question, Mike started gossiping:
"It all began when Raphie saw Leo drinkin' the last drop of this milk carton", he pointed at the reason that broke the argument in the first place with his sea green finger,
"And he yelled at Leo. Then Leo got mad and yelled back. Then they were like too busy with all the bickerin' to notice this full carton here I fetched from the fridge."
"And that's because they were drawing all the little unpleasant things they can remember about each other to the argument to turn a quarrel into a world war III, master", Don added sharply. Splinter shook his head before turning to Leonardo and Raphael.
"Isn't there ever a peaceful morning in our home?"
"I'm sorry sensei, but --"
"Yeah, blame it on me", Raphael snarled, though actually looking like he did mean it.
"I won't listen to any excuses, my sons. After breakfast you will both go to your chambers to have quiet meditation", Splinter told with the certain unpleasant strictness in his voice, which both brothers very well recognized,
"I will not tolerate this anymore. Your conflicts are affecting to our whole family."
Leonardo lowered his head to express his shame, and Raphael crossed his arms on his chest sighing deeply. Then the rat turned to his youngest son with much more tender look in his eyes, saying:
"Come on, Michelangelo. Our stories are about to begin."
"Sure thing, dad", Mike took his cereal bowl with him before following Splinter to their living room.
Donatello swallowed audible when he realized he was left alone with the two troublemakers. He swallowed even louder when Leonardo announced he'd skip the breakfast.
"I've lost my appetite", Leo murmured giving a sharp glance towards Raph before turning to leave.
"Yeah? Well maybe ya should take it with ya in case yer appetite returns", Raph yelled throwing Leo's cereals after him. The eldest turtle dodged the bowl and turned back to face Raphael, who was still furious.
"Leo...please?" Don pleaded quietly. Leo threw a look towards his peaceloving brother and with a sigh he gave in. Without a word he turned and headed to his room.
"An' what'cha starin' at?" Raph snapped at Don while crouching to clean the mess he had caused hoping Splinter wouldn't have a chance to see it.
"May I say, that with that attitude --"
"No Brainiac, ya may not", Raph growled throwing his own cereal bowl to the sink with Leo's before storming out of the kitchen.
"It's always so intellectual exchange of words with you, Raph", Don murmured to himself rolling his eyes. He also made a mental note to himself, that the next time someone would question him concerning his habit of spending so much time alone, he would remark that lately in their household loneliness appeared to be the only way to gain some peace and quietude.