Chapter Seven: Late This Morning
***
Raphael got in late this morning. I'm kinda worried about him. He doesn't seem like his usual self. He's almost normal. I'd give half my comic book collection to know what he found out from Aura.
She was totally losing it last night. I was starting to think she'd killed Raph, or Raph had killed her.
Heh, heh. I think Raph has the hots for her. He'd never admit it though. I can't say I blame him. I don't know if Aura's pretty by dragon standards, but she's a babe by mine! It helps that her skin's green. Kinda. And that figure…wow! Hey, I'm a teenage guy, I'm allowed!
Anywho…Raph walked in with the strangest look on his face, like he was trying to forget something he wanted to remember. He doesn't say hi or anything. He just goes off to his room. What really surprised me was that Leo didn't nag him. No 'What happened?' or 'What'd she say?' nothing. Weird.
Splinter went to question him later, around noon. He came back and told us there was nothing to worry about, and Splinter would never lie.
Would he?
***
Raphael got in late this morning. I don't know what was said, or what happened between him and Aura, but I do know his reaction. I saw it in his eyes this morning. Mike and I had just finished morning practice when he came in. I could see it in his eyes. He was angry.
But then, Raphael's always angry, but not like this. I wanted to question him about it, but something made me stop. The look in his eyes was so… I don't know how to describe it. It was not the general I-hate-the-world anger. It was not Leo-get-off-my-shell anger. It was hate. I've never seen him like that.
I asked Splinter to talk to him, but he apparently couldn't get Raph to talk either. He did tell me in private that I should keep an eye on Raphael. When I asked why he said, "Because he is your brother."
Like I have a choice.
***
Raphael got in late this morning. I was still working on the tracking system. I replaced the parts that were fried and booted up the system. Raph's blip was making its way towards the lair.
"Finally," I said, referring to both the computer working and Raph getting home. Home from Aura's. I've been thinking about her a lot the past week. And not the way Mike's been thinking about her either. Well, not entirely. More scientifically. She's the first female dragon we've seen or even heard of. It makes me wonder if there are other dragons out there. I had always assumed the Rank were the only real dragons in the world.
Well, there was a girl Turtle, why not a girl dragon? At least she's on our side… At least she's not trying to kill us. But I wonder why her features are so human? She really doesn't look like any of the Rank, but it might just be gender differences. And what was wrong with her last night? So many questions.
I'll ask Raph later.
***
Raphael got in late this morning. I was meditating with Splinter when we heard his motorcycle returning. I looked out the window of the car and saw him go into his room. I looked to Michaelangelo and Leonardo for answers but they just shrugged. I can see that Michaelangelo is curious about what happened after we left last night, but Leonardo is very worried. Raphael knows something we don't. Perhaps he will tell us later.
He's worrying me. He hasn't come out since he came home. I'd feel better if he started yelling and breaking things. It can't be good for him to keep things bottled up like this. We shouldn't have left him at Aura's last night, who knows what she did to him, the little…
Oh, my, what am I thinking? What's come over me? I don't like Aura, but I don't really have a reason why. She is a dragon, and she obviously doesn't care for us too much, but there's something else I can't really put my finger on.
Splinter left to talk with Raphael at lunchtime. He told the rest of us not to worry, but I have a feeling he's as worried as we are, and knows only as much.
Perhaps it is not our place.
***
Raphael got in late this morning. I can sense that something troubles him deeply. He is angry at something beyond his control. It deeply distresses Raphael when he cannot help those he cares about. Of course, he is being stubborn and will not tell me what it is.
I worry, for I care for him like a son. But I also fear that his reckless nature will cause even more trouble.
I wish he would let us help.
***
I got in late this morning. The others probably think I've gone crazy. Maybe I have. Leo's probably buggin' to interrogate me, as usual. I wonder why he ain't bangin' on my door. And Mike, he's always sticking his beak into other people's business. Why isn't he in here?
Splinter came in and gave me a sandwich and a coke. He sat down and asked if I wanted to talk.
"Not really. I'll be fine." No I won't. He left. I guess he figures I'll tell him later. No. I ain't telling anyone. Ever. If they know, they'll probably try to stop me from killing the bastard.
Well, last night something happened that just turned my whole goddamn life upside down. Aura finally told me what was wrong with her. I'm in shock. I'm somewhere between running away from her and pulling her closer. I don't even hear the footsteps until the front door is blown in. Aura and I move closer together for protection. The Dragon Lord is standing there. He takes one look at us and freaks.
"She's mine!" he yells.
I push Aura behind me and get ready to fight. The Dragon Lord throws me across the room like I was a rag doll. He grabs Aura's arm and twists it. She cries out in pain.
Somewhere in my head I realize what's gonna happen. But I don't move. He's going to rape her and I can't fucking move!
"Raphael!"
Now I move. I pull my weapon and slash at him. I have to be careful that I don't hit Aura. I get a direct hit on his arm, even though it doesn't do much damage against his armor. Aura moves so fast that she was gone before the Dragon Lord could turn towards me. I'm ready to butcher him, but he runs after Aura. I run after him.
I never caught him, and I don't know if he ever caught her. God, I hope not. She doesn't deserve that, no one does.
Kinda puts your life in a new perspective, ya know?
***