A/N: This is dedicated to Moogs for all of her wonderful help with the Holiday Trilogy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing more than way too many plot bunnies


Prompt: 2, Middles


When the turtles lined up for their morning practice, Master Splinter noticed something amiss with his youngest son. Peeking out from under his belt was a black, bruise-shaped mark. The rat blinked, thinking that it was merely a shadow, yet it was still in the exact same location as the youngest finished his bow and moved to his position on the mat. He shook his head inwardly, wondering what sort of mischief his son had gotten himself into to create a mark like that on his plastron.

"Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello, please meditate for a few moments. Michelangelo, I need to speak to you, my son."

With a small swallow, Michelangelo glanced over to Leonardo who merely shrugged. Looking very nervous, he walked over to his master as his brothers sat down on the mat. Saying nothing but giving his son a comforting smile, Master Splinter led him off to the side so that they would be out of earshot of the others.

"A-am I in trouble, Sensei?"

"No," the rat smiled. "I just wish to know how you received that mark on your shell."

"Uh, what mark, Master?" The turtle gave his trademark 'I don't want to admit that I know what you're talking about' smile.

"The one by your belt, my son."

"Ooooh, THAT mark."

The rat sighed. This was getting him nowhere fast. "How did you get that marking, Michelangelo?"

"I drew it!" The twelve-year-old turtle beamed proudly. "It's my belly button! Donnie says that we used to all have a belly button when we were little but now that we're grown up, we don't have it anymore so I drew mine back on."

"I see." Splinter felt a little flustered from his son's energetic explanation. "Yet you have yet to explain why you so desired this mark."

"Oh, that's easy, Sensei." Splinter chuckled to himself as he heard his son using his best teacher's voice. "I just hadto know if I was an innie or an outie, but I guess I'm not either 'cause it's flat."

"Now that you know that, please do not draw on yourself again."

"Can I draw on Raph?"

"No. Please do not draw on your brothers either."

"Okay, Sensei."

"Now re-join your brothers and we shall start today's lesson."

As Michelangelo bounded back to his spot on the dojo floor, Master Splinter could not help but shake his head and make a mental note to hide all of the markers.


So, did you like it? Please review! Flames will have funky mustaches drawn on them!