Hello Turtle Fans!

So, I actually wrote this about 5 years ago, but (at the time) was not interested in publishing drabbles. As I could find no good way to expand on this, it literally just sat in my email draft folder (never even saved properly) and was forgotten about. The other day, while looking for something else, I saw a picture that made me think of this and figured I should put it out there and see what people think of it.

NOTE: This is modeled after the 2012 television series, so the origin story may look funny if you were expecting something else.

This story is dedicated to anyone who has ever done childcare with more than one small child. (The real trick is going from sitting on the carpet to standing without dropping either of the two children in your arms.)

Enjoy ...

He was once a ninja master, Hamato Yoshi. He had taken on many opponents, seen many battles. Now he was in a new life with new challenges, ones that his previous training had not prepared him for.

"Hush, Leonardo," Splinter nearly begged the infant turtle. "No need to cry."

His words had no effect and the baby continued to wail. Looking down at the other two in his arms, he wondered if Donatello was in a deep enough sleep that he wouldn't wake at being set down. But no sooner had he had the thought that Raphael decided that he was done being quiet and he too began to scream, which in turn startled his brother awake and his voice added to the chorus.

"It is all right, Donatello; go back to sleep. Calm down, Raphael; you're fine."

Closing his eyes, Splinter attempted to block out the sound, just long enough to think of a solution. When that strange ooze had turned him into this creature, and his new turtles almost human, he never thought deciding to raise the four could be so nerve wracking. Wait … four … where was Michelangelo!

"Gah!" he snapped, as something clamped down on his tail.

Looking over, Splinter allowed himself a small sigh of relief when he spotted his smallest son on the floor holding his tail … but relief soon turned to dread when he saw tears filling the baby's blue eyes. Not him too!

"It is all right, Michelangelo," he soothed, flicking his tail to distract him. "You're okay."

Thankfully, the tiny turtle did not cry. Instead he bit down on Splinter's tail, again. Though the feeling was not pleasant, at least he was quiet … wait … he was quiet …

"Ah," Splinter sighed, curling onto his side.

He looked down at the four baby turtles laying in a row against him and smiled. At least this new form had one advantage: a built-in seat belt and teething ring. With his thick tail securing his children to his side, happily chomping down with their little mouths, Splinter closed his eyes to enjoy the peaceful silence … that lasted only until Raphael bit Donatello's hand.

So, what do you think?

I have a few other TMNT ideas, so let me know if I have an interested audience.