AN- Well, this little story seems to be drawing quite a bit of attention to itself. Hurray, Hopefully, I can keep up with your expectations.
The three young trainees sighed as they collapsed onto the floor. Splinter's training had proven to be harder than they thought.
"You have all done well so far. But not all training is of the body. You will now settle your thoughts, and focus your minds."
Splinter crossed his legs and adopted his favorite position for meditation. "Sit as I do, my sons."
Leonardo eagerly emulated his master, trying his best to perfectly copy his every movement. Raphael rolled his eyes as he and Donatello sat down.
"Now, close your eyes. Focus until everything vanishes, leaving you with nothing but yourself. Only then can you begin true self exploration."
Donatello nodded. I may not be able to keep up with Leo, but I should be good at this meditation thing. Master says my mind is strong. I... ow!
The young turtle grimaced as he was pulled out of his thoughts. There was a sharp pain on the side of his head, and Raphael was looking a little too innocent as he pretended to be lost in meditation. He turned to Splinter, but his father was wrapped inside his mental shell. Rubbing his head slightly, he frowned and tried to regain his concentration.
Raph is such a baby. He's just mad becau... ow!
Donatello bit back a yelp as he felt another flick on the side of his head. He turned and glared at Raphael, who was radiating an aura of tranquility. Shaking his head, he once again turned inward.
Raphael tried his hardest not to snicker. Donnie is such a wuss! And Leo is so wrapped up in doing this perfect he isn't paying attention... Raph hesitantly opened one eye... made sure no one was looking... reached torward Donatello... and...
WHAM!
Raphael held his head in pain. Splinter's walking stick returned to it's master's side, and the old rat glared at Raphael.
"Raphael! No more of this nonsense! Bullying your brother only shows your own weakness!"
Donatello frowned at his brother, nursing the side of his head. "Yeah, you stupid jer..."
"Donatello! A ninja only shows strength when standing up for himself and others! Your inaction shows your weakness!"
Both brothers hung their heads in shame.
"You would both do well to follow your brother's example. The purpose of this excercise is to not allow one's surroundings to distract you!"
Leonardo never opened his eyes, but his mouth formed into a small smile at the sound of his father's praise.
"Now, Raphael, as you seem so eager to do something else, you will take up the punishment position out in the living room."
"But, sensei..."
"Quiet! It is obvious that you cannot meditate with your brothers. You will hold the position for ten minutes! Go!"
Raph hung his head and slunk out of the room. "Be more like your brother, Raphael. Don't pick on Donnie, Raphael..." Raph growled as he immitated his master's harsh words.
"How's Donnie gonna learn to stand up for himself if I don't pick on him?" Sighing, he found a corner of the living room and flipped onto his hands. The turtles had only been training for a few days, but Raphael already knew the punishment position well. Splinter's punishment consisted of maintaining a handstand for a specified amount of time. The young ninja contemplated jumping onto the couch and relaxing, but quickly thought better of it. Splinter always seemed to know if he wasn't doing as he was told.
Several minutes went by in silence as Raphael struggled to keep his position. Suddenly, from out of the corner of his eye, he saw something green approaching. He let out a small groan.
"Hey Raph. You in trouble again?"
"Quiet, Mikey."
The youngest turtle nodded, and for a moment, watched his brother in silence. But curiosity got the better of him.
"You look funny doing that, Raph. Is that hard to do?"
Someone please kill me... "No, Mikey, it isn't hard to do."
"Okay." Another moment of silence. Then the child scratched his head. 'My skateboard is hard. I fell off eight times today."
"That's good, Mikey."
Michaelangelo nodded. "Yep."
"Mikey, I'm kinda in the middle of something. Don't you have something else to be doing?"
"Nope." Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. "Hey, Raph, what happens if I do this?"
Mikey began to poke Raphael in the face as the older turtle tried to maintain balance. "Hey! Knock it off, ya nutbag! Ow!" In a last ditch defense, Raphael waited until the finger got closer. Wait for it...
Chomp!
Michaelangelo's eyes went wide as his brother bit down on his finger. He yanked it away, and tears began to form in his eyes. Raphael's look of triumph turned to one of fear.
"Mikey, wait. I'm sorry, little bro! Don't cry!"
"You're not sorry!" sniff "You just don't wanna get in trouble!"
"That's right! I don't wanna get in trouble, so I'm sorry!"
Michelangelo's tears halted for a moment as he considered this. He shrugged and turned back to his brother.
"I bet I can stand on my hands too."
Raphael rolled his eyes at his brother's whimsical nature. "I bet you can."
"No, really. Look."
Mikey tried to immitate his brother, jumping onto both hands. He managed to hold the position for a moment, but his balance began to sway. His legs flailed violently for a moment before his entire body fell to one side, toppling over his older brother.
"That does it! C'mere, you little idiot!"
The young turtle screamed in fear as he jumped up, running away from his impending doom. The two brothers ran around the room for a bit, but just as Raphael caught up to his prey, the sound of a throat being cleared echoed across the room.
"Unless I am mistaken, that does not appear to be the punishment position, Raphael."
Michaelangelo darted behind his father as Raph cringed at the sound of oncoming punishment. "Um, no sensei, it isn't."
"Dad, dad... Raph was gonna beat me up! And yesterday, he said he was gonna hang me upside down over the water, so the alligators could eat me!"
"Don't worry, Michaelangelo. He won't hold you over the water."
"Do the alligators really eat turtles?"
"Perhaps. It would be best to avoid any if you should see them, don't you think?"
Michaelangelo nodded. "I'm gonna go play."
As his brother ran off, Raphael tried to swallow the lump he felt forming in his throat.
"Ten more minutes, sensei?"
Splinter raised an eyebrow. "Try twenty."
Raphael groaned as his master walked off. Splinter shook his head and smiled to himself. "Alligators...?"
AN- This chapter looked so perfect as it played out in my head, but as is usually the case, it lost something in the translation to the computer. I wish i could animate these chapters. Although I still think it came out alright. As usual, let me know what you think!
Klyde
