Midnight Run: Raphael

There's something refreshing about the light breeze and cool air tonight as I leap from one rooftop to the next. The darkness of the night always brought a strange kind of comfort to me that the others never understood. Not that they really tried anyway. At least Donnie and Mikey would listen to me before Donnie going all scientific about it and Mikey would revert back to being a knucklehead. Leo would just burst into a lecture about how reckless I am without ever giving me a chance to explain why I might like some alone time topside.

Not that I'd bother explaining to him anyway, he's always right and I'm always in the wrong. Slowing down to a walk I head over to the edge of the rooftop and look down on the city as people go about their night time business. It's much quieter than in the day but there's still a rush in the people who are out.

I'm still angry at Leo. It's an old anger though that I've got used to carrying. The anger at Splinter? That's a new one for me. I never felt particularly close to him but the last few months I realised just how stuck up Leo's shell he really is and it hurts. I know how close they are, with Leo trying his best to be a Splinter junior probably helping them connect but he has three other sons too. When I think about it though Splinter does have a bond with Mikey and Donnie, he indulges Mikey's fun and games and is happy to spend time listening to Donnie drone on about his projects even though he's not a clue what Don is talking about most of the time. What does he do with me? Nothing.

I'm not really liking where my train of thought is going but it has been leading me to this realisation for some time now, so as I sit back on the rooftop I figure I might as well confront it.

I have no relationship with Splinter. The only time I spend with him is training or when I'm being punished for something, and that's not how Father-Son relationships are supposed to be. At least I'm pretty sure it's not. I can feel the anger burning again, hot and bright, but unfamiliar as it rises up inside of me. I've often been angry at Splinter but this is different. This anger is something that's sparked suddenly and won't fizzle out, it's been growing for some time as my resentment of Splinter grew.

Wait. I don't really resent him do I? That's as far as I got in my thoughts though as movement below caught my attention. A large group of what looked to be purple dragons came sprinting around the corner through the alley below me, carrying crates between them. I couldn't help the grin that spread over my face as I grabbed my Sai from my belt to follow them. I could just kick their butts now, but part of me really wants to know what's in those crates so I should probably follow now. Then I can unleash some frustration on them later. Feeling satisfied with my plan I take off silently across the rooftops keeping an eye on the purple dragons below. Who said I needed Leo to think of plans for me? I can show restraint when I want.

At least there's some excitement tonight. It's the best way for me to burn off the energy and frustration I can feel coursing through me. Going back to the lair like that would just cause more problems because I'm pretty sure I'd lose it again, and then I'd be in the wrong for something else. This is just what I needed right now and if it distracts me from thinking about Splinter that's even better. After this I can go home and continue being the outsider again, just like everyone seems to want.

A/N - Thanks for all your lovely reviews! Sorry about the short chapters but this story is going to move to other characters perspectives as well so I'd rather keep them in separate chapters! Let me know what you think :)