I do not own the TMNT or Master Splinter.
But I do have a dad that happens to be the best dad in the world and he's all mine! I only share him with my brothers 'cause Mom makes me.
Chapter Three: From the Heart
Stupid…it's a token of gratitude and affection, not a darned payment.
Kit frowned at herself. Just give it to him.
She was back on her bed, listening as the guys cheered each other on over some video game. In her hands she held the small gift, wrapped in white tissue paper with a sunshine yellow ribbon. She had been careful wrapping it so it looked pretty nice despite being tucked inside her jacket all morning.
Go on, give it to him. You can tell him it wasn't finished drying and he'll never suspect you were nervous.
Tucking the gift back in her jacket, Kit stood up and left her room. She moved over to the stairs and went down. After reaching the ground floor she went straight into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water.
Coward.
"What are you growling about this time?" Kit jumped. Raph came into the kitchen and opened the fridge. "If it's the game I got to agree. Pink Superheroes is just dumb."
"Yeah... dumb." Raph seemed satisfied with that answer. He grabbed a sandwich somebody else had made and left.
Kit watched him go and grimaced. She downed the last of the water and took a deep breath as she set the glass in the sink before leaving the kitchen.
She circled the main room, taking the longest possible route to Master Splinter's room. Despite her procrastination she eventually found herself facing Master Splinter's door. She pulled the gift from her jacket and lifted a hand to knock.
Her hand moved forward to knock on the wood frame of Master Splinter's door but froze just before the fur brushed the wood. Her jaw tightened and the breath she had been holding slipped out.
Yeah, I'm a coward.
Her courage having failed Kit took a step back to return to her room.
The door slid open. Master Splinter smiled when he saw her standing there. "Good afternoon, Kitrian."
"Good afternoon, Master Splinter." Kit replied automatically. Suddenly she remembered the item in her hand. "I, um, that is…" She tried, her whiskers flattened in embarrassment. Unconsciously she ran her hand over her head, mussing the fur. Finally she meekly held the gift out. "This is for you, sensei. I didn't think it would be appropriate to give it to you this morning."
Master Splinter accepted the gift, his eyes curious and thoughtful. "Thank you, Kitrian." Kit nodded and looked down nervously as Master Splinter slipped the ribbon off and removed the tissue paper.
It was a leather bookmark. Handmade and very soft. Inlaid on the leather were carefully written katakana;
Father is a word for one whom words cannot describe, for no other word can reach so high.
Compared to the other gifts given Master Splinter that day, hers was like a card brought home from school, but it was a gift from the heart. Kit risked a look upwards.
Master Splinter let the soft fringe of the bookmark slide across his finger. He smiled softly and something glittered in his eyes. His smile broadened when he looked at her. Kit opened her mouth to add something but shut it again and smiled back.
"Kitrian, it is a lovely gift. I will cherish it." He placed one hand on her shoulder, "Thank you, my daughter."
Those simple words made Kit feel as though she could take on the entire Foot army and Shredder himself. Something pricked at her own eyes and fearing she still couldn't speak, she bowed.
Her gift may not have been the most artistic, most useful, best quality, or of greatest personal value; but she seemed to be a winner this Father's Day.
