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Michelangelo hooped in joy as he leaped over Leonardo's head, dancing out of the way of Donatello's staff, and doing a backflip out of the way of the red banded brother's sai. He grinned, cockily, dropping his guard in his excitement.
Raphael was none to happy with this so he charged, faking a right, then tacked his younger brother to the floor of the dojo, punching him as Michelangelo tried to defend.
"Yame!" Splinters order rang through the fog of rage coursing through Raphael's mind. The turtle froze, realizing what he just did as he stared into the fearful, tearful baby blue eyes of his dear younger brother. Raphael tried to shrug it off, tried to act like everything was cool, so he grunted and stood. "Yer fault for droppin' ya guard." He growled as Michelangelo sat up.
"Raphael!"
The turtle flinched as he heard his name growled on his father's lips. He turned to see his Master walking up to him, his tail lashing through the air and his ears pressed back to his head. Raphael mentally sighed. He hated causing that look of disappointment in his father's eyes.
Michelangelo watched as his father stood in front of the hot head, the youngest could tell his father was angry, disappointment and worried. Underneath that though, Michelangelo sensed sadness, pity. He knew his father deeply loved all of his brothers, but Michelangelo also knew that his father never stopped loving his own master, Hamato Yoshi. His father turned toward his oldest brothers.
"Leonardo, Donatello, if you would be so kind as to leave us? This lesson is over for today. Well done, my sons."
Leonardo nodded, bowing low before leaving. Donatello nodded and bowed, but not as lowly as Leonardo had. Soon it was just Michelangelo, Raphael, and their father.
The two brothers turned their attention to their father as the rat made his way over to the middle of the dojo.
Splinter sighed as he heart ached. He began sitting up candles in a line, five candles. The rat lit them and sat down, beckoning his son's to sit across from him on the other side of the candles. His sons complied and Splinter breathed in through his nose, out from his mouth, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them to look at Raphael.
Raphael dropped his gaze as his father's eyes fell on him. Of course he'd blame Raphael. It was always his fault for something or other.
"Look at me."
Raphael debated for a moment on obeying. He hated seeing that look in his father's eyes, on his face. He mentally sighed before dragging his eyes up to meet the wise depths of the eyes of the one who had taught him everything he knew, the eyes of the one who had protected him, saved him where others would have left him or killed him, Raphael felt his heart ache as emotions washed over him, cutting him to the core. He dropped his gaze.
"Do you respect me so little?"
Raphael thought someone was cutting into his heart at the question. He shook his head. No, of course he didn't. His respect for his father ran as deep as the ocean. It was just overwhelming and painful to see those eyes.
"My son, do me the honor of looking me in the eyes, if you would be so kind?"
Raphael snorted. Why ask when his father knew any of his son's would always obey him, no matter what he ordered or asked? Raphael felt even more guilt stab at him as he lifted his eyes.
His father smiled. "Thank you. Why did you attack Michelangelo?"
"We were practicin'. We are supposed to attack each other-"
His father's eyes narrowed. "You know what I mean."
Yes, the hot head did indeed know what his father was referring to. He sighed. "I lost control. He made me mad with his cocky attitude and teasing so I wanted ta bring him down a peg."
His father nodded, turning to Michelangelo. "Why did you not fight back when he was hitting you?"
Michelangelo felt his heart clench. He gave a fake smile and chuckled. "Knew he couldn't take it if I did."
"Why you-"
"Silence, Raphael. Michelangelo, why did you not fight back?"
Michelangelo sighed. He dropped his eyes to the orange candle that was burning brightly, watching the flame dance beautifully. He heard his father clear his throat and dragged his eyes up to meet his father's gaze. "I didn't wanna hurt him. I knew he lost control and I didn't wanna hurt him. He needed someone, something to let out his anger on. Plus, I was the one who started it by dancing around and losing focus, why should I fight back when he's already gonna get in trouble for losing control anyway?"
Splinters eyes widened, he thought of this then nodded with a sigh. "My sons, look at the candles before you, please."
The two turtles did as asked. They stared as the flames on each one flickered, dancing, creating shadows on the dojo floor, chasing away the darkness from their minds and the room.
"Michelangelo, I know you didn't want to hurt your brother, and I am proud of you for that, however, it was your fault for getting caught off guard, with that being said, would you show this kind of compassion, this kindness, to an enemy?"
The fun loving turtle thought of that for a moment. "It depends."
"What?" Raphael asked, shocked.
Michelangelo burned with shame. "I know it's stupid but it depends. I don't like hurting others...If I can bring'em over to our side-"
"That will be your downfall, my son. Kindness, compassion, they are great for family and friends but have no place on the battlefield."
Michelangelo's heart clenched but he nodded.
The rat turned to his hot headed son. "We attack our enemies, Raphael, not our family."
"Hai, Sensai." Raphael bowed his head.
Splinter dismissed his son's then gazed into the flames, his heart heavy. Would Michaelangelo be safe on the battlefield? Would Raphael continue to let his emotions get in the way of his better judgement? Splinter sighed and stood, going to the kitchen to get a cup of tea to calm his nerves.