Freedom Dash: Raphael

Unbelieveable.

Why does me and Leo talking always end in a screaming match? He's such a control freak, if he just backed off a bit and gave me a bit of breathing space! But no, the mighty fearless leader must always impose his will on us. He has to always be right. Every single time. It's always me running through the sewers to escape the argument, disappointed looks and silent accusations. It's always me that feels like a stranger in my own home.

I can practically feel the anger radiating through me giving me the fire in my legs to keep on running through these dank, depressing sewers. Running to escape my own home!

But what really burns me, more than anything Leo could say. Is how He always takes Leo's side. No matter how much of a jerk Leo's being. Like today, Leo climbed up on his high horse and was refusing to even listen to my ideas. I even suggested it in a calm, fairly reasonable way. Reasonable for me anyway. But no, my big brother just closes my ideas down straight away. Hell even Don and Mikey felt sorry for me, they tried to listen to me, but no. No room for possibly changing our fearless leaders plans.

And then what does Leo do when he realizes his followers are revolting. He gets Dad. The almighty Leonardo squeals on me like a six year old to Master Splinter! I was still pretty calm when I was trying to get Leo to listen to me, I stayed calm for once in my life, hoping Master Splinter would hear me out for a change.

Not a chance.

He came in listened to Leo's side of the story and told the rest of us we must support Leonardo and follow his plan! He wasn't going to hear anything from me, Mikey and Donnie!

Even now, after running around the sewers for an hour, my teeth are grinding just thinking about it.

That was when I blew my top with Leo, it was all favouritism from Splinter again. Why the hell does he even keep me, Mikey and Don around anyway since Leo is the only one he listens to. Praises. Loves.

I slow my run as that last though hits me. The truth had crossed my mind and I didn't like it. Donnie is an inventor, a genius. Mikey is fun, he makes everyone laugh – even Splinter. What do I do?

Angrily I push the thought out of my head. Splinter had always favoured Leo. He backed all his decisions, spent the most time with him. Hell he spent time with everyone except me.

As I catch my breath and continue a light jog through the sewers, I can sense someone coming up behind me somewhere down the tunnel.

Probably Leo to drag me back to the lair so I can take my punishment for disagreeing with him.

I turn slightly and catch a first glimpse of my pursuer.

Damn it's Splinter following me.

"Raphael wait" he calls to me as he realises I stopped running.

No chance. I turn and sprint off into the sewers looking for the nearest man hole cover. I've got nothing to say to him.

I take off running as fast as I can, the nearest man hole cover is a good few tunnels away and I'm pretty sure Splinter won't follow me to the surface. I know I'll just end up in even deeper trouble for running from Splinter and arguing with his precious Leonardo but I don't care about any of that right now. All that matters to me is getting topside and enjoying a few hours of peace before I go back and face the music.

Rounding the last corner I quickly scale the ladder towards the surface and lift the man hole cover to freedom but not before taking one last glance around the dark sewer tunnel. No sign of Splinter anywhere so it's a safe bet he gave up following me. Good. Apart from Leo he's the last person I want to see right now.

A/N - So this chapter is a slightly extended version of a drabble I posted and sets the scene for the rest of the story which will be coming up soon! Let me know what you think!