Judging By Default

By: M14Mouse

Summary: Leo's POV when he learns of Raph's capture. 7th in the Kaleidoscope Effect Series.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

A/N: Another part to the growing series. Thank you for your kind review, Lion-Goddess. He was Raph all the way like this part was very much Leo all the way.

--We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing; others judge us what we have done.—

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

How in the world does Raph get me involved in these things? First, he runs off to find the Foot and leaving us no clue how to contact him. Now, he got capture by the Foot! Damn it! I wish he would think before he acts. Doesn't he realize what his actions do to us? Doesn't he realize what stress he puts on anyone when he goes off on one of his adventures?

I catch myself from laughing. No, that just wouldn't be Raph if he did that. Raph is a turtle of action. He doesn't sit around for the enemy or the fight to come to him. He goes to the enemy and the fight. He wasn't one to back down from a fight either. I have the bruises and cuts to voice to that fact. Once he is in a fight, he never back down. His sais are out and ready to defend us or someone else. He stays by us through it all. Sometimes, I cannot help but be proud of him for that. The other part of me wants to kick his shell from here to New Jersey.

It isn't easy when my thoughts drift back to the last time the Foot got a hold of Raph.

Believe me, I try to suppress that thought. It will not bring me any comfort in the hours ahead of us. Of course, I remember that time doesn't help but make me madder but also very worry as well. I am not ready to see his body. Not like last time. Please, not like last time. I couldn't do that again. None of us could bear to bring Raph's body home and show it to Splinter. My heart is down in my stomach and I need to breath. My chest becomes numb and my hands tremble. Get yourself together, Leo! You need to focus!

Another fact, I don't know what Shedder has planned. I don't know if he is still alive. I can sit here and make predictions but it does me no good now. When your enemy is Shedder, you have to flow with the punches and hope for the best. You never know what he has plan for you.

I slam my fist against the metal train. Damn it! So many possibilities and so many images run through my head. I don't need to think about this now. I need to get ready. I have a brother to rescue.

The End