Death isn't peaceful.

There are no calmly whispered last words before the light slowly fades from their eyes, their bodies going still, last breath escaping in a quiet sigh then breathing no more.

There are no "peaceful passings" in the real world.

The real world is dirty and gritty. Life is messy and fast-paced. Death is even more so.

There is no such thing as an "honorable" death.

There is no honor in death. Only death.

There is no peace in dying. Only pain.

There is no light in darkness. Only black.

Last words are swallowed by the stench of blood, cloying copper and drying rust. Bodies flail and thrash, convulse and twitch. Last breaths stolen in piercing shrieks and bloodcurdling cries, broken screams of the dark and damned and dying.

Death is loud and painful and messy and desperate.

My name is Hamato Raphael, and I know all this all too well.

Disclaimer: Nothing owned, nothing gained. Obviously I have nothing.

Author's Notes: Ummm. . . I'm not sure where this came from. I wrote it at lunch yesterday, and am typing it on my phone now, which is a first for me. As I was writing this, I was considering writing a whole story for it, a death fic or an almost-death fic. Right now it is just me getting into Raphael's head some, following two thought trains "death isn't peaceful, it's messy" and "no such thing as an honorable death". What do you guys think? Should I write more or leave it as is? Oh! First story with no Leo, unless it is continued. :D Thanks all! Love ya guys! God bless!

-TheOneThatGotAway99