The morning was pretty uneventful, other than the early breakfast that Mikey told me about. Lunch went well, although that was mainly because Raph hadn't said anything the whole time. He did glance at me a few times. Now, I'm wondering if he's really mad at me for making him come here or not...
"What's up, kiddo?" Raph asked, sitting next to me on the grass.
I looked ahead to see the others and dad still sparring. "Not much." I paused and decided I'd feel better if I just asked him. "You aren't pissed at me for dragging you here, are you?"
He sighed. "Considerin' that I really didn't wanna come... I ain't mad atcha, I never was. Mattera fact, if ya hadn't dragged me along, then I would've never found Addy again... well, Leo would've never found her for me." He paused. "Why the hell'd he do that, anyway? I've never been nothin' but a pain in the ass to him..."
I put a hand on his arm. "Raph... you're rambling. You've hardly said a word all day and now you won't shut up. What's wrong? I mean, you should be happy that Adalida's here."
"I am happy she's here, Shadow. The problem is, well, this whole reason behind you draggin' me here. Why Mike and Donnie got together on this...." Raph said.
"You're still not at peace with Splinter," I said, becoming painfully aware that apparently he'd never resolved any problems with their father.
"No," he answered, simply. "Now, I'm gonna say something for him in a few hours." He paused, then said, quieter, "Dammit, Shadow, what'm I gonna do?"
I knew I didn't know the whole story, but I felt I knew enough from what I'd gotten from the others. "Don't prepare. Just speak from the heart." I moved my hand from his arm and thumped the upper left side of his plastron. "I know it's in there, Raphael. you can do this."
His gaze stayed on the ground, letting what I said soak in, then he looked at me and smiled. "Thanks, Shadow." He ruffled my hair, then got up and rejoined the others.