Yo, peeps! I have returned from the famine of content! Prepare to be flooded with stories and stuff! Each chapter will be released once a week per story. So for now, that would be two chapters a week! :D I hope you enjoy it! Oh, just a heads up, this story takes place somewhere in the second season. I'm not going to go through the complications of rewriting everything to make it up-to-date with the series. And… (SPOILER ALERT) there was an allusion to Mona Lisa so, until she makes an official appearance I will keep writing! (I fan-girled for about a week, just ask Cocoaflower she can tell you all about it...)
Disclaimer: I do not own the turtles they are not mine blah blah blah
"Would you like to learn the ways of a ninja?" Splinter requests seriously. Wait, what?
"WHAT?!" Raph spews out his food. Gross…
"Sensei, even I think that's a little rash… I mean, we barely know her!" Leo comments hesitantly.
"Calm down, my sons; I was not asking her to become a ninja, only to learn some self-defense techniques." Splinter looked calmly at Leo as if to say, "Trust me…"
"I'm sorry for doubting you, sensei…" Leo briefly bows. Everyone stares at me expectantly. It's been awhile since I took karate… Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try… I glance at my untouched plate of pancakes.
"Sure, I guess… May I finish first?" I turn to Splinter. He nods.
"No! Sensei, I object!" Slamming the table, Raph quickly stands up. So violent….
"You always object, bro. Take no mind of him, dudette; follow your unwavering passion of becoming a ninja!" Mikey places a hand on my shoulder. "Man, I am so inspirational!"
"Uh… thanks…" I gently brush his giant hand off.
"Raphael, trust me." Splinter looks compassionately at him. Raph slowly sits down.
"Hai, sensei…" he stares at his plate.
"Please meet me in the dojo when you are ready, Mona Lisa." They have a dojo? Well, that does make sense…
"Oh, um, just Lisa is fine…" He nods and silently walks away. Heavy silence follows, other than Mikey who is blissfully humming away. I quickly gobble my food and turn to Leo.
"If you don't mind, could you tell me where the dojo is?"
"Hm? Oh, it's right over there." He points in the direction Splinter walked off.
"Thank you." I get up and I can feel Raph watching me. I glance at him and he quickly pretends to be looking at Leo. As I walk away, I hear parts of their conversation.
"Why do you trust her?" Raph mutters.
"Well, sensei trusts her, isn't that a good enough reason?" Leo replies.
I walk toward a screen door that looks kinda dojo-y. I attempt to slide it open, but Splinter opens it from the other side.
"Welcome, Mona Lisa." He steps aside to let me in. The first thing I see is a tree in the middle of the room. I have no idea how he got it in here. The floor is covered in tatami mats, and the walls are made of screen doors with colourful murals. There are several racks with various weapons, many I don't recognize. I can't believe that this is the dojo! It's so… beautiful.
"Ahem." Splinter breaks my trance.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was enamored by your dojo." I quickly step on the mats.
"Before we begin, please take a seat next to the tea set." He motions to a small traditional set. I don't really want tea right now but I do as I am told. It's probably not a good idea to argue with a six foot rat.
"Now, the reason I have brought you here is not to teach you to fight, but to calm you." But…
"Not to be rude, but didn't you say self-defense earlier?" I was looking forward to being taught by a ninja master…
"Indeed, but self-defense starts with stable mind, not with the body. You have been through much in a very short amount of time." He picks up the pot and begins to pour tea into two small cups. The light, bittersweet aroma of green tea fills the room
"You are overwhelmed by all of the events that have taken place, even though you appear to be at ease." He hands me a cup. It's warm, not hot. I don't know what to think.
"I… have no words sir…"
"We will get physical training soon enough, but first, you must relax." I stare into my steaming cup. I suppose he wants me to drink it or something. I bring it up to drink.
"Slowly, Mona Lisa. Sip it slowly." I'm not sure how this will help, but I'm willing to try. I gradually bring the cup to my lips, and inhale its fragrance. I carefully take a small sip.
"How do you feel?" He asks softly. I glance up at him and straighten my posture.
"Better, thank you." I do feel much calmer.
"The key to being calm is not to ignore your troubles, for that will only make you more stressed. Instead, you must address your concern and discover a solution in order to completely release it." He sips his tea.
"So, what are you asking me to do?" I sip mine.
"I suggest to tell me the thing that you are most concerned about, and perhaps, I can assist you in finding a solution." This… sort of seems like a no-brainer, but he does have a point.
"Well, that would be my family." He nods, not saying a word.
"They must be so upset not knowing what happened to me. Unfortunately, there is no way I can go to them like this!"
"And why is that?" Wha… what kind of a question is that?
"Well, I'm not exactly human anymore, they will freak out!" I don't know where he is going this….
"Naturally, but should that be a reason to hide the truth from your family?" He stared at me waiting patiently. I… no…
"No, sir." I stared into my now empty cup.
"I'm sure if you talk with the others, they would be willing to assist you."
"I'm sorry I doubted you, sir…." He was helping me, even if it seemed baby like.
"Please, call me Master Splinter, or Sensei. Whichever you prefer." He smiled, offering his hand… paw out to take my cup.
"Thank you Master Splinter, I don't know why I was unable to come to the conclusion myself..." I gave it to him.
"Do not worry, I believe you have learned much." Splinter began to clear the tea things. That's for sure, now I have to talk to the others…. Oh wait, what about Raph?
"Yes, I have thank you. But I have a question, is Raph always like this?" I ask.
"Ah. Do not be concerned about Raphael, he will get used to you." He chuckled.
"Are… you certain?"
"Yes, and I'm sure you will find him to be very kind. In his own way of course." He stood up. Raph? Kind? I can barely picture it.
"…"
"Speaking of Raphael, would you please call my sons here? It is time for sparring practice." Sparring? Oh, I so want to see this!
"Yes sir! Uh I mean, Master Splinter… Um, would it be ok if I observed?" I stood up sheepishly.
"Of course, I was about to suggest it." He nodded.
"Thank you!" I dart out of the room and look at the main floor. Raph and Leo are on the couches, while Mikey and Donnie are in the kitchen. Hey, I was right, Donnie does drink coffee…
"Um, Master Splinter would like to see all of you!" I shout.
"AH! OH NO! Are we in trouble?" Mikey hides behind a wall.
"No, he wants you guys for sparring practice."
"Oh, phew, I was really scared for a second there." Mikey zips pass me into the room.
"Ugh! It's too early for this." Donnie drags himself across the floor.
"I believe we have a score to settle." Leo nudges Raph before leaping over the couch.
"Indeed we do, O' fearless leader." Raph hurdles himself over. Leo and Donnie walk past me, but Raph stops next to me. This can't be good.
"Look, I just want to set one thing straight, it doesn't matter if everyone is right about you or not, if you hurt my family or my friends, you're as good as dead!"
To be continued…..
P.S.
I am currently working on a story that was suggested, I'm really excited for it! You guys can suggest things too if you have a story idea or whatever. Just PM me and we can discuss it!
