The Prologue
Cats and mice were natural enemies, of this Splinter knew well. He might have been a human-sized rat, but even he couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy whenever in the presence of a feline. Just the lingering scent of a cat that had passed through an alley was enough to make his fur bristle. He knew the creatures were of no danger to him, yet he couldn't help being wary of them. Mutant kittens included.
However, as he stood in the dim light streaming through the sewer grate, four pairs of eyes staring back at him, he began to feel something stronger than mere animal instinct. He had never seen eyes so filled with confusion and fear. The night air held a chill and their little naked bodies were huddled close together, seeking warmth. They were lost. They were alone. Human compassion overwhelmed the rat.
He gathered them in his arms and took them home.
How was he to care for all of their needs when he had been struggling to survive on his own? The question would trouble him often in days to come, but that night, as he watched his newly adopted sons hungrily devour his entire stash of food, Splinter felt strangely happy. Maybe cats weren't so bad after all.
(The following morning he finally realized what he had gotten himself into when he discovered his one and only blanket was thoroughly soaked.
They didn't even have the decency to look sorry about it.)