Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 5 (My Version)

Chapter 7 ~ Badger Face Opens Up

~ Chapter 7 ~

I threw my bag on the rock-like couch and let out an over dramatic sigh.  I was home.

Pizza boxes were scattered all over the lair, Mikey must've had a afternoon snack.  Dishes were stacked almost to the ceiling, Raph forgot it was his turn...again.  Smoke was pouring out of the lab, Donnie was experimenting.  And the Dojo was as eerie and silent as always, Leo was meditating.

A slight smile tugged at my lips.

"Dude, what's in your hair?"

I jumped, and turned around.  Mikey was inspecting the glob of mashed potatoes I had missed.

I pained a smile, "Uh, food."

Mikey stared at it intently, then he sniffed it.  "It smells..." he stuck out his tongue, "nasty."

I wiped it out of my hair, "That's no surprise, it's hardly classified as food."  I pursed my lips, "Where's Raph?"

"I think he went off to patrol," a voice said behind me.

I blinked and turned, Bandit was leaning against the old pinball machine.  I still wasn't used to him appearing everywhere, even though he arrived this morning.

"Either that, or he's in his room." Bandit continued with a shrug.  He scratched the back of his head.  "Raph is kinda scary...I don't remember him always being like that."

I smiled, "He's just...being himself.  A bit angry," my eyes wandered to the stack of dishes, "a bit distracted."

Mikey raised his eye ridge, "Distracted?"  His face ridiculed with puzzlement.

I nodded, "I know he's hiding something and it's distracting him.  And I think it's something that happened last night."  I crossed my arms.  "Raph usually doesn't let anyone get to him, especially in a fight."

"So?"  Bandit asked.  "What are you going to do?"

I smirked, "Talk to him."

Mikey blinked, "Talk...to Raph?" He repeated slowly.

Bandit shifted foot to foot, "Talking things out isn't one of his strong suits."

I shrugged, "It'll be worth a try.  If I don't do anything, I might miss a opportunity."

Mikey smiled, and gave me a thumbs up.  I returned the gesture and walked down the hall.

I knocked on Raph's door, "Hey, Badger Face?"  I called out.

Instead of a reply, the door opened and Raph's angry eyes.  "What do you want?"  He demanded.

"To talk, we need to discuss a lot of shit."

"Like?"  He asked, impatiently.

"Like what happened last night," I pointed at his scuffed up plastron and bandages along his forearms and legs.  "You don't get bumps and bruises like that from street gangs."

He scowled, "What if I don't want to tell you?"

I leaned in, "Then I'll get Leo and Splinter involved in this too.  Either spill the details now, or spill them in front of everyone."

His eyes narrowed, "You're trying to threaten me now, Bekka?"

"It's your choice, Raph.  Tell me now or tell everyone later.  This can be just between us."

His eyes became more and more angry.  Finally, he swung the door all the way open.  "Fine," he growled.  "Come on."

He sat on his bed as I leaned against the door.  His unnerving green eyes glared at me with hatred.