Author Note: Yeah, yeah. I know. I told myself that I wouldn't write another chibi chapter. I vowed I wouldn't, but-but-but those puppy dog eyes. *sob* Help me, someone, please!
Anyways. This one stars Mikey and Master Splinter.
Disclaimer: Don't own them, but wouldn't it be nice if I did? Well, for me anyways.
Splinter sighed and counted to ten slowly for what seemed to be the fifth time this afternoon.
Or maybe the twelfth. He hadn't bothered keeping count.
"My son," Splinter said with annoyance creeping into his voice. He didn't turn around from making his sons lunch. "I know you are there." A tiny squeak of surprise came from behind Splinter.
"So close. I almost had you that time." Splinter felt a smile slid up his face despite his irritation. He cut the sandwich in half diagonally just the way his son liked it and handed it to his youngest son who had walked up to it his side. Splinter gently slapped the young child's hand almost instinctively as Michelangelo reached for the rest of the sandwiches.
"For your brothers." Splinter took the plate of sandwiches and left his very youngest son staring at his back in astonishment.
Splinter had just started their training in the art of Ninjutsu. He supposed he had waited long enough. The young learned the fastest and whether he liked it or not his sons wouldn't be young much longer. They were already four nearly five if Splinter guessed their age correctly. It was hard to tell since they didn't come to him when they were newborns, and turtles aged differently. Their mannerisms were like a five year old though so they were five to him.
The children's lessons were going much better than he had ever hoped. So well in fact that Splinter didn't doubt they would surpass him someday in the future. Splinter had made the mistake of telling that to his sons. Now his youngest one was out to get him, trying to 'surpass' him with surprise attacks.
The whole situation made Splinter want to throw his hand back and laugh and pull his fur out at the same time.
Later when Splinter was enjoying a prized treasure he had found, a book in reasonable condition, in the quiet hours of night he decided to end this fiasco. His son was supposed to be in bed with his brothers.
"Michelangelo..." Splinter warned as his son crouched down to spring on the top of the back of the chair. Splinter could almost feel his son deflate, but of course only for a moment. Soon his son was back to his smiling, beaming self and climbing into Splinter's available lap, laying his head on Splinter's shoulder.
"How do you do it, Master Splinter?" Michelangelo asked after a few minutes. "How do see me coming?"
"Much practice, my son."
"Will I ever be like you? Will I be able to have eyes in the back my head like you?" Splinter chuckled at that and Michelangelo's content smile grew.
"With much practice, yes, my son."
"'K. I'll practice and practice." Splinter watched his son's smile grow even bigger and felt the little body tremble in anticipation. Splinter felt the smile of his face turn into a frown. Of all his sons, Michelangelo was the easiest to sense. He was such a happy child and not one to be quiet about anything. He practically glowed. Ninjas lived on the edge of people's vision. They didn't draw any attention to them. They made themselves appear not worth a person's precious time to look at. Splinter had a sinking feeling that his young son would never, ever do that. It was the extreme opposite.
"It will take more than practice, my son. Ninjutsu is a lifestyle." Splinter said quietly and cautiously.
"What is a 'lifestyle'?"
"A way of living." Splinter suddenly felt guilty. He was planning to take this very bright aura and taint it black. He would have to push that part of his son down, deep down and maybe extinguish it altogether. Then again, he had no choice. He was teaching his sons, so they could defend themselves from the judgments and prejudices of the world. His son would never, ever really be able to shine. "Is that you want, my son? To be subjected to a life living in the restraining safety of the shadows?" Splinter mentally slapped himself as soon as he said that. One so young wouldn't understand the question.
Splinter was very surprised when his son looked up at him, his face and eyes serious.
"Of course it's what I want. I need to protect myself so you don't have to all the time. It will be my way of living." Splinter smiled sadly at his son's face. What was he, Splinter, doing? The child was just repeating his words. They trusted him and would turn into what he wanted them to be despite the fact it might be never what they wanted to be.
So lost in his thoughts, Splinter was totally stunned when his son pushed himself, Splinter, and the chair over. All three fell backwards onto the floor. His son fell on him laughing, and Splinter rubbed his head feeling a headache coming on.
"I got you!" His son said laughing. "I finally got you!" Splinter couldn't help himself. His son's laugh and smile were contagious. He also threw his head back and laughed. Perhaps he had been wrong.
His son might be a ninja, but hopefully he would never, ever really change.
I am going to give a chibi turtle to all those who review and tell me what they think. Hurry! While supplies lasts...