Promises...

Chapter 3: The First Promise Continued...

Leonardo's head and eyes jerked up at Raphael's announcement. Never, never in a million years would he have thought Raphael would say something like that He was hurt. His best friend hated him...?

Raphael regretted what he said as soon as he had said it. I don't hate Leo, he thought to himself. Do I? No! Never!

Michelangelo and Donatello, however, were not suprised at the sudden outburst from their red clad brother. But that didn't mean that they thought Raphael hated Leonardo! No, far from it! They knew that just because they argue alot, that doesn't mean that they hate each other.

Leonardo could feel his eyes burning with unproduced tears. He did his best to hold them back, but it didn't work well, and that made Raphael feel even worse. He had never seen Leonardo cry before. Not once. Leo was a strong guy, and it took alot to make him tear up in the least bit. But what Raphael said had done the trick.

"Leo, I...I didn't...I mean..."

Leonardo stood his ground and didn't look at Raphael. Then a single tear streamed down his right cheek.

"No, I-"

But he was cut off by the sad look Leonardo gave him.

"I'm sorry, Raph."

Leonardo turned around and was about to leave the room when Raphael spoke.

"Leo! Wait!"

Leonardo turned back around and looked to Raphael. Raph didn't know what to say, but he couldn't just let Leonardo walk out like that!

I gotta apologize, or hug him, or tell him I love him, or SOMETHING! God, Raph! SAY SOMETHING!

But Raphael was at a total loss for words and Leonardo gave a disappointed sigh before speaking.

"I'm sorry for whatever I did to make you hate me. But...just, just remember that nothing you could do could make me hate you, ok? I love you. I always will. And that's a promise."

"I know, I-"

But Leonardo strode out of the room and shut the door behind him. Everyone in the bedroom looked at Raphael expressionless. Raphael just gave them an apologetic look.

Then all of a sudden there was a huge crash coming from downstairs. But that wasn't the onlt noise.

The sound of Leonardo's blood curdling scream rang in all of their ears.