Of Turtles and Lizards

Leonardo's Resolve

Raphael was out. He wasn't supposed to be. He wasn't supposed to leave the lair but he did. I sat in the dojo polishing my katanas, distractedly. I sighed in frustration. When will my little brother learn that he can't just go running off on his own all the time? Especially since his injuries haven't finished healing yet! What will it take to get Raph to understand the gravity of the situation? He was lucky to be alive. Donnie had said that his shell had actually absorbed most of the impact. Raphael was lucky he hadn't been completely blown to pieces. I almost lost my little brother because of her, because of that monster. But the worst part of it all? The worst part was that Raph still stood up for her! Even after he spent almost two weeks on bed rest recovering from his injuries!

Casey said that he was absolutely livid when he found out that I'd threatened her and he's been giving me the cold shoulder ever since. I'd like to see him try and look me in the eyes and tell me that he wouldn't have done the same! I did what was necessary to protect this family! He would have done the same, shell, he'd done the same when I first became interested in Karai!

Oh. My eyes widened in realization. Could that be it? Is that why he's defending her? Because he sees something inside of her that makes him hope? I feel like I've seen my relationship with Karai in a whole new light. No wonder Raph was mad. He was probably as frustrated with me then as I am right now with him.

I had always known that Raphael and I were more alike than we realized, but this just took it to a whole new level. If Raph took the same path that I did with Karai...No. It wasn't the same. Karai may have used me just like she used him, but it wasn't the same. Raph got hurt, I didn't. That changed everything. Mona Lisa didn't deserve a second chance. She couldn't be allowed to get close to Raphael, never again. I'd make certain of it.