"Misunderstood Guardian"

Ch. 3

Gerald was the first up due to the fact he hadn't slept a wink last night. When he realized he wouldn't be getting any sleep, he had spent most of the night mapping out the layout of the turtle's lair using touch. By five in the morning he was pretty sure he had it memorized.

Making his way to what he discovered was the dojo; he began to do his morning stretches. He may be retired and getting along in age, but it would be a cold day in Hell when he would let his body go. He wanted to stay as flexible as when he was twenty.

An hour later he sensed the turtle known as Leonardo walk in. "Hmm, I'm surprised to see someone else up before me," the blue bandana clad turtle said as he retrieved his Katanas and began his morning exercises.

"Couldn't sleep..."

"Oh, well I'm sorry our humble accommodations weren't up to your standards." There was harsh bite to the turtle's words.

Gerald stopped short and slowly turned to look in Leonardo's direction. For a while there was just silence. Then he said, "Excuse me, but the narrow-mindedness has become a bit thick in here."

Leo stopped short in the middle of a kata to glare after the older male as he left.

Gerald was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee when Splinter walked in. "I heard you didn't sleep last night, anything wrong, Gerald-san?" he asked, sitting next to the other.

The retired bounty hunter groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Please don't call me that anymore; it's what my ex-wife used to call me."

The elderly rat tilted his head to the side. "You were married? Does being reminded of your wife hurt you?"

Gerald shook his head. "No, no… it's not that. It's just annoying is all…" He stared down at his coffee mug. "She and I both decided it was time to end the relationship. She and my son are both better off without me holding them back."

Splinter's eyes widened for a split second then he asked, "Do you miss your son?"

"Don't do this to me…"

"Do what?" The elderly rat looked at him questioningly.

"Don't go all psycho-analytical on me. First you'll just ask me simple questions like how well I slept and then when you've got me talking you'll get me to talk about my feelings and how when I was a boy my father abused me –!" The words were already out of Gerald's mouth before he could stop himself.

"I-I've got to go…" he stammered, quickly getting up, nearly knocking over his chair and hastened out of the room. He couldn't believe he had just said that – and to a complete stranger no less!

"Good morning… Gerald?" Donny blinked watching the older male rush past him with a troubled expression on his face. "Sensei, what happened?" He asked when Splinter came walking up to him.

"I believe Gerald-san revealed something he didn't want anyone else to know…"

"Yo, Gerald, what's up?"

The retired bounty hunter stopped short when Mikey suddenly walked out in front of him. "Beat it, kid, I don't feel like chatting right now." He went to go around the turtle, but Mikey moved to block him. "I said, move it." Gerald's patience was beginning to wear thin.

"Aw, why not, I wanna get to know you better." The orange bandana clad turtle was beginning to regret stopping the retired bounty hunter as he saw the other was starting to get irritated. "Um… you want something to eat?"

"No. Thank you."

"I know, how about –?"

All of a sudden Gerald grabbed the turtle by edge of his plastron, lifting him so he was barely standing on the tips of his toes. "For the last time, get out of my way!"

A soft squeak escaped Mikey's lips as he stared up at Gerald, his eyes going wide. "I-I'm sorry…"

"Yo, let go of my little brother!" Raphael growled, Sais in hand.

Growling softly, Gerald immediately let go of the younger turtle, Mikey running past him. "No need to draw your weapons, Raphael… I wasn't going to hurt the kid. Anyway, I was just about to go out to get some fresh air." With that, he left the lair, the red bandana clad turtle staring after him.

Raphael turned to see Bryan standing in the doorway of his room, a forlorn expression on his face. Averting his gaze he quickly went after Mikey to see how he was.

"He is a very troubled man…" Splinter suddenly said.

"Master Splinter, I can't believe you would allow this man to stay in our home after that!" The turtle turned to look at his father frowning.

Splinter sighed. "I seem to remember you doing a lot worse when angered."

"But – but… sensei…" Raphael stopped short when the elderly rat gave him a look and the turtle sighed.

"We just have to give him time; his wounds are far deeper than I first suspected…"

"Okay, father, I will trust you on this. Now if you will excuse me, I have to attend to something." With that, Raphael went to find Bryan and Mikey.

Gerald was back in his apartment placing some clothes and other necessities in a bag. He sighed; he had let his temper get the better of him – again. When he had let that disgusting bit of his past slip out to the rat all he wanted to do was to get out of there as fast as he could and when that turtle had gotten in his way his anger at himself was left to build up and turn its attention to the other and finally blow up. He hadn't meant to hurt Mikey, he just wanted him out of the way; just wanted to go where he could reorganize his thoughts and calm down.

And Raphael, he didn't blame the older turtle for being defensive of his brother. Gerald was a stranger in their home and seeing him practically assault one of their own… well, he had ever right to be angry.

When Gerald was done packing, he slung the bag over his shoulder. If he didn't get back soon, he was sure Bryan would come after him. Taking a deep breath, he began his trek back to the lair. He was certain he wouldn't be getting a pleasant welcome back.