This has been one of my favorite tmnt stories for years and I've just read it again after so long, and it's even better than I remember it being. The middle chapter with the letters... tears fell from my face through the whole thing. Raphael's emotions are just so real and raw that they actually hurt, you know?
Thank you so much for writing this and sharing it.

Great job describing Raph's feelings. It was heartbreaking.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story!

I read this one a long long time a go. And it still got me emotional every time I re-read it.. thank you for writing the beautiful story

Awww

Love these letters. Perfect.

I was in tears a little more than halfway through this. When Master Splinter said that Leo's absence was particularly difficult for Raphael, we couldn't possibly have known how he was understating things. Thank you for this beautiful, heart-wrenching, heartwarming story.

Yeah. Like they all should have done from the beginning, sparing us unnecessary drama. But never mind. Nice ending. Awww.

Ouch. The last letter just hit me in the heart. Poor Raph! All of these notes were really caring, even the ones where he's insulting Leo. Great job with the progression from a more optimistic Raph to one who's just lost all hope. Leo's my favorite Turtle and you've made me hate him. Although, in this movie universe, I already don't like either of them. But your story makes them more...human.

THis was so great to read, really like the idea behind it! Thank you

Nice!

Gorgeous. This may seem weird, but this almost reminded me of death, at the end...that they would all leave at different times, but some day, they would all be there together. Maybe that's morbid? But it didn't seem that way to me...the jungle sort of became a metaphor in my head for a place where there's no more misunderstandings or hurt feelings, a place they could all be together as a family...kinda beautiful instead of sad/morbid...anyway. :P I love what you did here :)

Oh my God, you are BREAKING. MY. HEART. I want to race back and watch the movie all over again with these letters in my mind...Raph's perspective suddenly seems so much clearer, the source of his hurt and anger and rebellion so much stronger...elucidated. You capture his voice so perfectly.

Ouch poor raph tht 2007 movie was the best poor raph and mikey my babies

The letters...the letters...and that last bit of Raph-like expression (hoping and at the same time not want to hope?)...but mostly the letters! Ohhhhhh this is friggin good and heart-squeezing and I love it very much!
I laughed at the stabbing the letter with sai part.

Awww! Beautiful ending, I loved the whole thing :)