Broken Mind

Chapter 7

Raph repeatedly slammed his fists into the face of the punching dummy. If it weren't for the dummy being soft and plush his knuckles would have started bleeding long ago. He almost wished they would bleed only for him to feel something different than the stinging pain in his heart. Feel the pain of his skin breaking and the wetness of blood trickling down his fingers. Raph grunted as he landed one final punch. Punching wasn't enough anymore. "I'm going for a run." Raph announced before taking off out of the lair. He needed some fresh air and just to run until he only felt tiredness. On the surface, the sun was beginning its descent over the horizon. Raph watched the people of New York bustle about for a moment before beginning his sprint. He hoped he'd stumble across the Purple Dragons or some other lowlife thug he could beat senseless. His feet pounded hard along the rooftops as he ran. His breaths coming out rapid and heavy. He didn't stop even when his legs began to go numb from exhaustion. He couldn't stop, couldn't give up. He had to be enough. His knees buckled finally and he tumbled to the ground. He skidded on his knees before flopping hard on his chest. He pushed himself up and rolled over so he was sitting his bottom. A familiar sharp stinging pained his knees. Raph looked down and saw them littered with red swipes. Purple welts already starting to blossom on his legs. He shoved back the slight comfort he got from the pain. The feeling giving him something to ground himself. Not lose himself in all his anger. He lost himself in watching the red liquid bubble up from his scrapes. The sounds of loud metal footsteps broke him from the trance. He looked around realizing night had finally fallen over the city. He looked over at the source of the sound and recognized a familiar turtle in dark armor. "Leo!" Raph breathed out running over to his brother. Leo lead a group of Footbots to a Foot Clan warehouse. Leo held a mild distain for the bots. He rather preferred living ninjas than robotic imposters. But he didn't dare question his master. "Master Shredder wants us to pick up more weapons and supplies." Leo said as the group approached the storage building. The clan was beginning to run low on weapons as destroyed bots kept losing them. "Leo!" A voice yelled out. Leo turned sharply and was met with the face of the red masked turtle. "Raphael was it? What are you doing here?" Leo said drawing a katana blade. "I'm looking for you, you idiot!" Raph said annoyed. "Get what we came here for! I'll handle this loser." Leo said to his bots as he approached Raph. The bots followed his orders and jumped down to warehouse. Raph normally would've gone after them but now his only focus was on his older brother. "Leo you gotta break free from whatever spell Shredder has you under." Raph begged as he drew out his sais. He didn't want a fight but he knew one would be coming. "I have no idea what you're going on about." Leo said his voice thick with annoyance. He had much better things to do than fight this hothead. He swung his sword down only to met with Raph's sais brought together in a block. "Come on, the Leo I know would never let himself be controlled this easily!" Raph said pushing Leo back. "You know nothing about me!" Leo growled. Raph let out a laugh at his words making Leo pause. "Oh I know nothing about you? I know everything about you!" Raph said in a slight mocking tone. "Liar!" Leo said as ran back swinging at Raph. "I know that the only thing you like more than training is getting ready for training." Raph said blocking Leo's attacks. Leo grit his teeth a let out a low gravely growl. "I know you nicknamed your katanas Musashi and Kamiizumi." Raph continued. Leo let out a yell letting his attacks become rage filled. "I know you avoid playing video games with Mikey because you hate being beat." Raph continued to rattle on. Leo became filled with pure anger and frustration at the conversation. "And I know that if you were really yourself right now I'd never be able to do this." Raph finished as he grabbed his blue brother's wrist. Leo let out a small yelp of surprise. Raph twisted his wrist causing Leo to release his blade. He jumped up and landed a kick to Leo's stomach sending him flying back. Leo let out a grunt as he landed back on his shell. He sat up breathing heavily as the kick knocked the air out his lungs. Raph stuck his sais back in his belt. "I don't wanna fight you Leo. You and I both know deep down you don't belong with the Foot Clan." Raph said slowly approaching his fallen brother. Leo glared at him still wheezing. He stood up slowly clutching his chest. The two stared at each other in silence before the moment was broken by the Footbots returning. Leo looked back and saw them hauling boxes of the supplies they needed. "Leo come with me, I can help you." Raph said calmly reaching his hand out. Leo scoffed at him before fishing something out of his belt. He tossed a fistful of blinding powder in Raph's face before taking off. "Leo no!" Raph said as he was thrown into a coughing fit. He shielded his eyes, remembering the effects the powder had on Leo's after Karai threw some at him. When the dust cleared, Leo was gone. He'd vanished from sight. It was almost like he'd never even been there in the first place. Raph threw a sai to the ground and let out an agonized scream. How could he have been so close to let him slip through his fingers again.