TMNT: Blue

Chapter five

Raphael's Point of View:

Everythin' remained quiet at home. Fearless seemed ta be a little more like his old self. He had even started drinkin' tea again, but this new stuff stank somethin' horrible. However, somethin' was on my brother's mind and it was givin' him fits. I could tell when he would space out when he thought nobody was lookin'. I knew my brother better than anybody and he was freaked. Leo was one of tha calmest turtles ya could meet so whatever was on his mind must be big. I hated ta see Fearless like this so I was determined ta see if I could get ta tha bottom of his issues.

At first, I had stayed close while Leo was spacin' out ta see if he would unburden himself ta me voluntarily. That tactic didn't fly, so then I started givin' little hints as he and I would speak together in hopes that he got tha clue that I was willin' ta listen, but nothin'. Finally, I tried tha "I've got a friend" approach.

"Hey, Leo," I called one afternoon as tha eldest straightened from his kata ta look up at me, "Can we talk? I need some advice."

"Sure," Fearless agreed even though he looked a little confused since I rarely ever went ta him for advice, "What's on your mind?"

"Well…um…I've got this friend, right?" I began feelin' a little unsure suddenly, "It seems that he is really upset about somethin' and I've been wantin' ta help, but I'm not sure how since he won't tell me what's wrong."

"Maybe what is wrong is something that is really private and your friend can't tell you," Leo suggested as I hummed thoughtfully at him, "Is this about the fight between Casey and April? You know that April forgave Casey, right?"

"What?" I blurted before calmin', "I ain't talkin' about Casey and I'm glad that April forgave him and everythin,' but this other friend of mine is certainly withholdin' somethin' from me. I don't like that he is so upset and I want ta help."

"Other friend?" Fearless questioned fixin' me with an intense stare, "What other friend? Have you been going topside and exposing yourself to someone we don't know. Raph, that's dangerous. We have set rules of human contact to keep us safe from discovery. Well?"

I dropped my head and growled angrily. Leave it ta Leo ta start tha whole "rules are made ta keep us safe" routine.

"Leo, tha friend I'm talkin' about we all know so set your mind at ease," I nearly snarled as my older brother calmed, "Now, what should I do ta make this friend confide in me?"

"Nothing," Leo admitted as I blinked in surprise, "Raph, whatever is going on with your 'friend' must be something he or she is trying to work through. You have to allow this person to figure out what is the best decision for them on their own. When he or she is ready to tell you, then they will confide in you. If you push too hard, your friend will feel judged and unsure. Is this about Mikey? He has been quiet lately. Is he upset?"

I couldn't help but chuckle. Leo was always lookin' out for us. Here I was tryin' ta get ta tha root of his issues and here he was askin' about someone else.

"No, Fearless, Mikey's fine," I sighed as Leo visibly relaxed, "His allergies are actin' up again and our baby brother sounds like he swallowed helium when he speaks. Mike's been keepin' quiet because his voice makes me laugh right now."

"Oh," the other turtle said before lookin' concerned again, "Is he keeping his inhaler with him? Last time Mikey was having a lot of trouble breathing properly and it scared me to death. Excuse me, Raph."

I watched as Leo hurried ta tha dojo door in shock before he whirled back around ta look at me.

"Let it go right now with your 'friend,' Raph," Leo offered, "He or she knows that you are there for them if they need you. I'm sure that everything will be fine."