A/N: Hi there! Well, it's been awhile, but I am back with the fic that ate up my life for a year. Splinter has been and always will be my fav character so I hope I did him justice. It is an exploration of his younger years. I had a hard time grasping that he could waddle through a puddle of mutagon and BAM be an instant Ninja Master. Even if he did "practise" with Yoshi. I would love to believe that Splinter and his family would have at least one good friend to help them along the way.

I would love to give a big thanks to Mikell and Harm for going through this with me. You guys rock :D

Mary... you were the one that stood behind me the whole ride. You kept me going when I was ready to give up and toss this fic to the side. And honeslty... I think you worked harder on this than I did LOL...This fic is for you my dear. I thank you a million times over.

Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT.

Fated Destinies

CHAPTER 1

"He who lives without honor, will end without honor."

"This is a waste of time. Finish him!"

Helplessly, Splinter watched his Master bravely square off against the small, but powerful group that invaded the sanctuary of their humble home. Standing in the center of their living room, arms raised hands curled into tight fists, sweat running off his brow, Yoshi remained statue still, waiting. Blocking the door way, arms folded in front of his solid chest, a cocky smirk on his lips stood a mountain of a man. Next to him, standing like a Master of all that is evil was a being like none other. Suited in armor, a sword in his left hand, the man that boldly introduced himself as the Shredder, remained in the background, allowing his counterparts to tire Yoshi. The little rat darted back and forth behind the bars of his cage, stopping to frantically bite at the cool steel. His loyalty and affection for the man who had raised him like family fueled his desperation to protect Yoshi the best he could. A flash of movement sent Yoshi pitching forward, his arms and legs whirling so quickly his movements blurred into one. The man that blocked the door stepped forward. Two of the ninja soldiers flanked Yoshi's side, boxing him in.

"Hun! Subdue him!"

Gritting his teeth, the man pushed past Yoshi's defenses, grabbing a fist full of his yellow shirt and tossed him through the air. Yoshi collided against Splinter's cage, sending them both crashing across the room. Splinter's instinct for survival brought him back to his feet, ears pinned, ready to attack. He spotted a bend in the bars, wide enough to allow him to escape. He squeezed through and immediately went to his Master's side, pressing himself against the man's right hand.

With a groan, Yoshi turned on to his side, rubbing the back of his neck. Clumsily, he tried to push himself on to his knees, but his right arm gave out, causing him to crash back onto the floor.

"Spl-inter," he moaned in a whisper. "Leave. It is not safe for you, my friend."

Every muscle tensed in the rat's body when a Foot ninja grabbed Yoshi by a fist full of his black hair. He sprang forward, sinking his front teeth through the ninja's black glove. The attacker grabbed the rat, dropping him to the floor. Splinter chased as the Ninja dragged Yoshi back to the across the room, shoving him savagely on the floor, at the feet of the towering metal clad warrior. Splinter ran past, putting himself between his master and the enemy. He crouched, teeth bared, angry hisses erupting from his throat.

"Get that filthy rodent out of here," Shredder bellowed in annoyance, his red eyes glaring. "Better yet. Bring it to me so I can demonstrate to this man how we deal with traitors."

Yoshi's eyes went wide "No," he uttered. "Splinter…run."

With calculating eyes, Splinter watched a slowly approaching black clad ninja. The rat moved swiftly and with purpose, leaping towards the man, biting and clawing. Skillfully he managed to avoid the sharp blade of a katana when another ninja attacked from behind.

"Fools," Shredder scoffed. He nodded to the blonde headed man. "This ends now. Hun. I trust you know what to do."

A satisfied smirk curled on Hun's thin lip. Steeling his grasp on the hilt of the sword he carried in his meaty fist, he lumbered forward. Two ninja managed to contain Yoshi using their Tasers.

"It will be my honor, Master to eliminate this scum."

Splinter immediately sat on his haunches, the sound of metal slicing through air filled his ears as Hun raised the sword. With a deep, vicious growl, he charged towards Hun, leaping at the man's face, biting his lip, clawing at his left cheek. A thin line of red ran along the man's jaw line.

A large hand closed around the rat's body and tossed him aside. Splinter crashed against the wall with such force he laid stunned on the wooden floor. Several minutes passed before he could raise his aching body to all fours, shaking his head in an attempt to rid himself of the hazy feeling that hindered him from attacking once more. To his right, he could hear the torment in Shredder's voice, insulting, degrading the Utrom guardian before he raised his arm menacingly, the prongs on his gauntlets glinting in the light. Splinter stumbled forward but couldn't act fast enough. In a blink of an eye, Shredder snapped his arm downward, ending Yoshi's life.

The rat watched in horror as Yoshi's body slumped to the floor.

"Let us vanish," Shredder ordered. "I have accomplished what I came to do."

Splinter darted to Yoshi's body, uttering a whimpering squeak. Hun took a step forward, clutching his cheek to control the flow of blood from the deep wounds.

"I will kill it," he muttered, reaching for his sword.

Shredder stuck his arm out to the side, blocking Hun. "It is of no concern to us anymore. It will surly die a slow death now that it has to fend for itself."

"What of the body, Master Shredder?"

"Leave it. Let it be a message to our enemies," Shredder replied, turning to leave.

Once they were gone, Splinter slowly turned to face his fallen Master. He sniffed the air, his black eyes studied Yoshi, searching for any sign of life and finding none. He gently pushed his muzzle against Yoshi's hand, curling his claws around a finger, closing his eyes to shut out his master's death stare.

Splinter remained with Yoshi that night, refusing to leave his Master, his friend. He remained at his side until a voice filled the apartment. The door opened, and a startled man stood in the entrance. Splinter knew him well as a friend. Splinter allowed the man to approach the body, sadly, watching as the man fell to his knees touching Yoshi's neck.

"What happened, Splinter?"

He pulled out a cell phone from his jacket pocket, demanding medical attention and telling the address across the wires. Once the room bustled with activity as paramedics arrived, Splinter hid in the corner, watching helplessly as they placed the body in a black bag. The fight had left him, knowing there was nothing to stand up for. The damage was done.

Once the paramedics left, the man with the phone lingered, his hand resting on the door handle. Splinter crept out of the darkened corner, leaping onto the window sill.

"Splinter?' the man called out, his arm stretched inviting the rat to him. "Come with me."

Splinter looked at him and blinked. He knew the man meant no harm, but Splinter had no desire to go.

The man lowered his arm, and nodded. "Very well little one. You know where we live if you need help." He left.

Splinter sat alone in the now empty room, accepting that there was no need for him to stay. Like Tang Shen, Yoshi moved on to his next life.

With a heavy heart he leaned out the broken window, and without a second glance, headed to the streets below to survive the best he could.

Alone.