It's all so confusing, this brutal abusing

They blacken your eyes, and then apologize. -Hell is for Children, by Pat Banatar


Mikey walked down the streets of the neighborhoods toward his new trainer's home. He held a piece of paper in his hands looking down at it every so often to remind himself of the address. His father believed it was okay he could walk because Master Fueli's home was not that far nor was the place they lived in was dangerous either. Mikey didn't mind though. He loved nature and being outside as much as possible. When his father kept him and his brothers inside he dreaded every moment of it. But at this point of time, he was content, playing a smile on his face.

He felt that the first impression was rough. Maybe Master Fueli was having a bad day or something. Mikey was determined to make today a better day by showing Master Fueli he was willing to learn. He was also determined not to scare him away. He wanted to make his father proud, he really did. Mikey's was going to try his best with his new trainer.

Mikey came up onto the address to see it was a home very similar to his, maybe a little smaller. Donnie explained to him once that since Master Splinter is a very important man, he gets a nice house and other nice things. He wondered his Master Fueli also had some pretty stuff like Master Splinter did. Mikey was making himself excited to see what was inside. He hurriedly ran up the stone steps to the house. As he was about to ring the bell, claiming he was there, the door opened wide. Mikey jumped and stepped back, looking at the person at the door.

It was a boy, not much older the Leo it seemed. His red hair stood out against his child-like freckles. He looked really tired and really anxious.

"What are you doing here?" The boy asked. Mikey was taken back by the sudden demand. Was this his son perhaps?

"I-I have my session with Master Fueli today." He sputtered. The look of fear engulfed the boys face. Mikey suddenly started to get a sinking feeling. The boys body suddenly became ridged with a voice boomed out the door.

"Faun, your training is done. Leave." Mikey looked past the boy named Faun and saw Master Fueli standing in the back of the living room. Michelangelo felt a shiver run down his back looking at his new trainer's eyes. They were so cold and dark. He was so use to seeing brown eyes like his brother Donnie's. They were always so warm and filled with knowledge. Looking at Fueli's was like looking at a statue. A very mean statue.

"Y-yes sir. I'm on my way out." He spoke tentatively. He quickly walked down the stairs but whispered in Mikey's ear before fleeing to the street. He spoke the word so softly Mikey was afraid he might have missed it.

"Run." Was all the boy said. Mikey gulped down his fear, trying to ignore every instinct to turn on his heel and take off in the opposite direction.

"Michelangelo." Fueli's voice floated outside where Mikey stood. Mikey gripped the paper tight in his hand, crumpling it in his hand. He bit his bottom lip and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.


Mikey entered the home and followed his new trainer deeper into the house. Mikey's wandering eyes looked at all the old antiques of battle uniforms and other gear. He felt like he had just entered his father's office. The smell of ensense flooded his nostrils, intrigued by the sudden similarities of living conditions between Master Splinter and Master Fueli.

They made it to one of the back rooms, closer to the garden he had outside. Mikey saw the room looked like nothing more then a basic dojo, smaller then the one he had at home.

"Remain seated on the mat. I will return in a moment." He spoke evenly, disappearing through one of the doors into another room. Mikey stood in the dojo alone, looking around seeing the stuff hanging on the wall. Mikey gasped and ran over to one wall to look at the katana that hung from the pins keeping it on the concrete. Mikey stood on his tip toes, small hands grasping at the shelf that held the small candles under the katana. The manufacturing of the scabbard and the design itself was very impressive to see. He was entranced with the design on the dragon on the front, wrapping around a diamond in-crested rose. Mikey smiled, thinking he would have to tell Leo about this katana when he gets home, knowing his brother would very much enjoy knowing about the craftsmanship of the blade. He reached out trying to touch the blade covering, wanting nothing more then to examine the weapon. He reached a little farther, wishing he would be older so he would be taller.

"What are you doing?" Fueli's voice sparked. Mikey jumped, shaking the shelf and making one of the candles fall to the ground, glass breaking on impact. Mikey jumped back, letting the shards scatter. Mikey's cheeks grew hot, embarrassed that he was only there for not even ten minutes and already broke something. He quickly went down on his knees and pulled the end of his shirt to make a pouch to hold the glass.

"I-I'm sorry. I was just looking I swear." Mikey rambled, trying to hurry and pick up all the shards. He could here the thunderous footsteps of his trainer coming up from behind him.

"Pathetic excuse for a child." He said quietly. He suddenly grabbed Mikey from under his arm and hoisted him up, causing Mikey to drop the pieces of glass he picked up back onto the ground. Mikey yelped in pain, feeling the strong grip, fingers digging into his sea green skin. Mikey's heart felt itself stop when the sense of his body was lifted in the air came to play. He felt his body being thrown, like a doll, across the room over by the mat that he was suppose to already be on. Mikey got up on his knees, kneeling next to the mat. His hand grasping his bicep, feeling the burn of the grasp that was previously on him. That hurt, a lot. He was confused. None of the trainers he had in the past ever laid a hand on him. He felt the tears start to form and threatening to spill. He flinched when he heard the sound of his trainer coming his way. He shuffled his way up till he was on the mat. He stayed on his knees, head down and still gripping on his now pulsating arm.

Fueli crouched down in front of Michelangelo but Mikey was looking away, not wanting to make eye contact with the man.

"Michelangelo, look at me." He demanded, voice leveled. Mikey shook his head and refused, sniffling lightly. Fueli shot out his hand and gripped Mikey's cheeks and made him face forward. Mikey whined and fought against the man's grip but was unsuccessful, Fueli keeping a dangerously strong hold on the small turtle's face.

"Don't fight me Michelangelo." The man said calmly. "If you do, then I would have no choice but to tell your father how disobedient you've been." Mikey stopped all sense of fighting and stared at his trainer.

"Now you wouldn't want to shame your father because you couldn't behave." He spoke. A swarm of guilt hit Mikey hard. He promised his father that he would try, he would make it so his father doesn't have to worry about him. But he really hurt him, the light stinging in his arm reminding him of the new wound. What could he do? He couldn't run away from this man, his father would know. He didn't want his father disappointed let alone ashamed and more stressed out over Mikey.. He also didn't want his brothers teasing him because he couldn't keep yet another trainer.

Mikey shook his head, agreeing with what Fueli was telling him. Fueli let go of his face, standing back up.

"Very good. We shall begin training immediately." He spoke. Mikey kept his head down, crying softly to himself.

"And stop that obsessive crying of yours. Soldiers do not cry. Enough." His voice was normal when he demanded it but to Mikey it seemed to echo in the room. Mikey held in the next cry, fearing of getting hit or grabbed again if he didn't listen. He dried up most of the tears, some still glistening in his eyes and looked back up toward Master Fueli.

"Good." Fueli said. The rest of the day seem to come and go in a blur. It was only a few hours but to Michelangelo it felt like a eternity. He was put through some test, if failed he earned a small punishment of physical violence. They weren't major and a few didn't hurt. They were mere warnings of further actions that Fueli would take if Michelangelo didn't listen.

Mikey walked down the street back to his home feeling very confused. He wasn't use to that type of training and in a way it scared him. But, he had to stick it out. He didn't have much of a choice anymore. Even worse he wasn't allowed to speak of the events that took place. They were Fueli's way of training. They were his methods and Fueli's methods are never to be spoken of. Even if he were to mention anything to his father, he doubted that Master Splinter would allow him to even speak about it knowing Master Fueli's policies. Mikey sighed but was happy the day was over. He was ready to be home and crawl into bed.

He walked through the front door of his home to see Leo was practicing some of his katas with his father while Raphael and Donatello were on the side watching. They both immediately stopped and looked at Mikey.

"Ah, my son. How was training with Master Fueli today?" He asked. Mikey's heart sunk seeing the pride in Master Splinter's eyes, wishing he would stop looking at him like that.

"It was good. Really good actually. Master Fueli is a very interesting guy." Mikey lied through his teeth, smiling with the biggest smile he could.

"That is very good to hear Michelangelo. I am very happy to hear that." Splinter praised. Mikey's smile faltered for a moment but regained it's position.

"Okay. Well you guys have fun. I'm gonna go take a bath." Mikey said walking toward the wash room.

"I'll run the water for you my son." Splinter said, starting to follow Mikey towards the room. Mikey quickly spun around and faced his father.

"No I can do it. I promise." He said quickly. Splinter was taken back by the sudden sense of independence.

"Michelangelo, you always want me to start it." He questioned confused.

"Yea, but I'm almost six daddy. I think I should start my own baths for now on." Mikey said with a smile. Splinter stood there for a moment more and smiled.

"Very well my son." He bent down and hugged Mikey tight. Mikey grunted from his father putting pressure on his bruise on his arm. When he let go, Mikey made his way to the bathroom and quickly shut the door. He sighed with relief as he reached the tub and turned on the water. The howling of the water began and the steam started to arise. Mikey made his way to the mirror that hung over the sink. He un-clipped the bands from the back of his shell, removing his shirt to show in small plastron and skin to the mirror.

Mikey looked at the hand mark on his arm, seeing the bruise was dark purple with a hint of yellow forming around the edges. He shivered lightly but brushed it off. He will keep going with Master Fueli and he will prove he can be taught. He removed his trousers and stepped into the heated tub, relaxing his body and mentally preparing himself for his next training session.

Michelangelo completely forgot to tell Leonardo about the katana.


A/N: Sorry for the short chapter guys. I wrote this on the way up to Flagstaff and I was half asleep. But I got the gist of it. Next chapter will be much better. I promise! But please tell me what you think and just to clarify I will put warnings before each chapter if the it's graphic.

Till next time! -F