Raphael's Heart (2nd book)

1

2/21/19
Things were difficult.

They were so, so difficult—

For Raph.
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A week after you had graduated, the unexpected happened.

Splinter had been isolating himself for a while, and he rarely came out of his room, but no one acknowledged it as suspicious; they all assumed that he had been mediating.

"Sensei said that he would let me spar one of you today, but he hasn't left his room ever since I woke up today." Mikey whined. He fell on to the couch with his arms crossed over his chest and a pout molded on his face.

"I want to check on him, but he could be mediatating and I don't want to intrude," Leo states.

Everyone hangs around in the living room until they hear a voice that croaks from a distance.

"My sons—"

Everyone turns their head in the direction of their sensei. His shaky figure stands there— clutching onto his staff for dear life.

His appearance looks drained of life—pale and corpse-like. He looks as if he's on the brink of death.

The turtles all run to their sensei and surround him.

"Sensei, are you ok?" Donnie asks with concern laced upon his brows.

"What's wrong, sensei?" Mikey chimes.

Before Splinter can speak, his body fails him and he crumples to the ground. "Oh," He groans.

"Sensei!" Raph yells and crouches beside him.

Everyone follows-suit and imitates Raph. Leo places a gentle hand on Splinters back and everyone keeps a sorrowful gaze on their father.

Sensei reaches out a shaky hand and places it on each sons shoulder and each of them can feel the sincerity flow from his hand—

And the loss of warmth.

"My sons— I've watched you grow and become powerful, disciplined men. I've w-watched as all of you fought with passion, and it brings joy to my heart to see what you all have become." He declares with fluttering eyes and restrained breaths.

"S-sensei what're you saying?" Mikey asks as his voice cracks.

"All I've ever wanted to do was watch you all become honorable men, and you did not fail me." He chuckles dryly, but soon that chuckle turns into dry heaves and choked breaths. Leo and Raph move to hold his arms on either side of him and he shakes his head wearily. "I-I want you all to continue being the way you are . Never forget your morals."

"N-no don't say that, sensei!" Mikey cries. He latches onto his father and sobs into the cease of his neck.

The dam that all of them tried to keep intact soon broke against their will and tears dropped from their eyes.

Splinter suddenly falls limp into Raph's arms, but he struggles to stay awake despite his loss of energy. "I-I'm afraid m-my time has come, m-my sons." He whispers. His voice in almost inaudible and glazed completely in rasp.

"Dad-" Donnie chokes.

"I-I'm so proud of all of you. I-" But something cut him off. That deafening, sorrowful, pitiful sound cut him off.

"Dad!"

"Father—no."

"No! Please!"