Chapter 10 ~Reservations~

Splinter hummed to himself as he poured tea into a cup, careful to strain out the loose tealeaves. He perched on one of the kitchen chairs, warming his hands carefully around the small cup, smelling the aroma appreciatively.

"Good morning, Splinter." Beverly moved into the kitchen, her soft slippers padding across the floor.

The Rat smiled. "Ohayoo, Daughter," he greeted her.

Beverly grinned. "Oh… Ohay…"

"Ohayoo."

"Ohayoo… but there's another word, Don taught me… gozai… gozai…" Beverly stumbled over the unfamiliar syllables, frowning with concentration.

"Gozaimasu." Donatello provided, stumbling into the kitchen. "Good morning, Sensei."

"Good morning, my son."

Beverly chuckled. "Now you're just showing off, Donny, correcting my Japanese before you have your first cup of coffee."

"Sorry." Don looked around blearily. "Is there coffee yet? Or are you just making me empty promises?"

His wife shook her head, laughing. "Sit down," she told him. "I'll make it."

"Thanks." Donatello sank into a chair across from Splinter.

"Are your brothers awake as well, Donatello?" asked the Rat curiously. "It is early for you to be out of bed."

"I think so, Sensei," said Don. "Leonardo and Sierra are usually up early anyway. Raph and Ann are in the dojo. He said something about teaching her to spar. Mikey and Austin haven't come out of their room yet."

"Is Kouki still sleeping?" asked Beverly, turning from the coffeepot, which was now gurgling merrily. She came to sit next to her husband, cradling a cup of tea in her hands.

"He was a few minutes ago," said Don. "I didn't have the heart to wake him. He looked so peaceful."

"Let him sleep." Beverly smiled. "He's a night owl, just like his Dad. What time did you come to bed last night, anyway?"

"Umm…" Donatello glanced a bit guiltily at his father. "Around two, I guess."

"And it's…" Bev glanced at her watch. "Seven now. You'd better get a nap in this afternoon, Donny. Especially if you and Mike are going out tonight."

"Shh!" Donatello glanced toward the door. "Leo might hear you."

"He knows you're going out, doesn't he?" Beverly poured a steaming mug of coffee.

"Yes…"

"Donatello, my son. Perhaps you should consider informing your brothers of the nature of your mission," suggested Splinter gently.

Don shook his head. "With all due respect, Sensei, I don't think it's a good idea for Leo to know about this."

Splinter sighed. "The decision is yours, Donatello. Remember our agreement."

"Of course, Sensei. As soon as the boy is safe, I'll talk to Leo."

"Good morning."

A chorus of "good morning"s and "Ohayoo gozaimasu"s greeted Austin.

Beverly beamed. "I got it! I got it right," she exclaimed.

Austin grinned. "Omedetoo, Beverly-Ane."

"What?"

"She said "congratulations"," said Don over his cup. "Though technically, you shouldn't use 'gozaimasu' when you're talking to Austin. It's a respectful usage for addressing someone older or above you in a hierarchy."

Bev shook her head. "You all give me a headache," she teased.

"Gomen nasi, Beverly." Austin grinned.

"That one I know," retorted Bev. "Don says it all the time."

Donatello snorted into his coffee and Austin laughed.

Splinter watched the exchange with a faint smile.

Such a feeling of affection, he thought. Their spirits meld together like small streams falling into the greater river of the Clan.

Michelangelo sauntered into the kitchen, holding Skylar. The little girl was grinning at her father, as if they'd been sharing some secret joke. Bailey was at Mike's heels. He made his way over to a corner, curling up on the pad Ann had provided for him.

"Someone's ready for her breakfast," cooed Mike.

Skylar squirmed in her father's arms, turning to scan the adults in the room. Her hazel eyes landed on Splinter and she twisted, grunting, stretching her arms toward her grandfather.

Splinter hid a smile. He enjoyed his role as grandfather, having a chance to spoil his grandchildren in ways he'd never dreamed of while raising his sons.

"O… Ojii… Ojiichan!"

Movement in the kitchen stopped and all eyes swiveled to the squirming Turtle.

Splinter felt an unfamiliar constriction in his chest. Decades ago, he'd felt the same way, when a tiny Turtle looked up at him with trusting eyes and stuttered his first word.

Splin-ter?

Austin took two steps, wrapping her husband and daughter up together in a hug. Tears were standing in her eyes. "Oh, Skylar. You know your ojiisan!"

"What? What did she say?" asked Beverly in a hushed tone, as if she were afraid to speak too loudly.

"She said "grandpa"," answered Don, grinning in delight. "That's great, Mike, her verbal development is really coming along."

"Ojiichan!" insisted Skylar, stretching past her parents to reach for Splinter.

Michelangelo grinned. "I guess she wants you, Sensei." He held the baby out to Splinter, who gathered her into his arms with a smile.

"Thank you, my son. Ohayoo, mago-chan." Splinter tickled Skylar gently under the chin and she laughed with delight, reaching out to grab at his whiskers.

He twitched his nose, turning so that his sensitive whiskers were out of her reach. Skylar frowned for an instant, and stretched her little legs, straining to reach. When she couldn't grasp his whiskers, she settled for a handful of the soft ruff of fur around his neck, winding her fingers into it and staring, fascinated, as she tugged. Splinter smiled, prying the tiny fingers loose.

"Gently, Granddaughter," he murmured.

"No pulling on Ojiichan, Skylar," scolded Austin. She met Splinter's eyes and blushed. "Sorry, Sensei."

"She is not the first, Daughter," said Splinter, reassuring his daughter-in-law with a smile. "Her father nearly plucked me bald before he learned that this fur is not meant to be hand-holds for climbing."

Austin's startled laugh made Splinter's grin widen. He saw Michelangelo look at him, shocked, for an instant before Donatello began to chuckle and the Turtle's cheeks reddened.

"You must have had your hands full with these boys," said Beverly, coming over to the table. "May I pour you another cup of tea, Splinter?"

"Thank you, Beverly. Yes, they were… challenging, to raise," he said, dodging as Skylar swung a tiny fist, attempting to bop Splinter on the nose.

"I don't know how you did it, Sensei," said Don, leaning back comfortably in his chair. "I mean, there are four of us, and one of you. At least Mike and I have the family…"

"Yeah," Michelangelo chimed in. "I don't know how I'd handle raisin' Skylar by myself, but we never missed havin' two parents or anything like that. I mean, you were the best, Sensei."

Splinter was busy fending off Skylar's attempts to snatch a handful of his ear to answer. With a delighted giggle, she lunged forward, and managed to step squarely in his stomach. The Rat grunted, and lifted the squirming bundle up a bit to relieve the pressure. Her leg shot out, her two-toed foot catching his cup of tea, sending it rolling across the table. Splinter jumped up from the chair, turning to shield the child from the hot liquid.

"Skylar!" Austin hurried over, and Splinter relinquished the giggling baby to her mother. "Naughty girl, you've spilt Sensei's tea," scolded Austin.

"She is active this morning," Splinter commented dryly.

Beverly was already mopping up the tea with a dishrag.

"I'm so sorry, Sensei," said Austin, giving him an apologetic bow. "I don't know why she's so full of it."

"She is a child," answered Splinter. "Perhaps it is time to begin guiding her through the simple katas. The exercise would allow some of her energy to be expended."

"So young?" Beverly paused in her cleaning to stare.

"My sons were not much older when they began their training." Splinter nodded. "Young bodies absorb the exercises most readily."

"Oh." Splinter didn't miss the glance Beverly shared with Donatello. "We… we hadn't actually discussed… I mean, Kouki…"

"Sensei's right, Bev," said Don gently. "I should start Kouki on some basic forms soon, too. Don't worry, at this age it's more of a game than a formal training. We loved it when we were small… at least until we were old enough to see training as work." He flashed a smile at his father.

"I… guess so." Beverly glanced at Splinter, obviously uneasy.

"Bev." Donatello stood up, going to his wife. He took her hand, slipping an arm around her waist. "You know Kouki will have to be trained. He might not choose to become a ninja, but he will at least have to know how to defend himself. Aside from our family's enemies, he's not human."

Beverly nodded, turning to her husband and wrapping her arms around him. "I'm just not sure…" She glanced at Splinter again. "Well, he's so brilliant already… I don't want him to neglect his studies to study martial arts. You guys had a different upbringing… I mean no disrespect, Splinter." She turned to face the Rat. "You taught your sons to fight out of necessity, I understand that, but our kids… they don't need to be the warriors their fathers are, do they? I mean, they have a chance to choose a different life…"

"Beverly-chan," Splinter kept any trace of irritation out of his voice. "I fear Kouki's life will be chosen for him, by his form, and by his Clan."

"What do you mean?" Her blue eyes narrowed in confusion and the beginnings of anger.

"He means Kouki is fated to be who he is," explained Donatello, intervening. "He's a Turtle, Bev. You know that means he won't be able to integrate into human society. And with his father and uncles all being ninja… Well, he's probably going to follow in our footsteps. We're not going to force anything on him, Itoshi."

"I… I guess I understand that. I… just don't like the idea of him fighting," answered Beverly.

"I have raised my sons to fight only when they must," said Splinter, standing up. He felt stiff and old suddenly. "Please excuse me."

He made his way slowly out of the kitchen, heading for his room. He slid the rice paper door aside, stepping into the familiar space and breathing deeply of the faint scents of wax and incense, allowing the smells to calm his spirit.

Beverly does not understand our ways, even after so long, he thought with a twinge of annoyance. She would stop Donatello from fighting at all if she were able. She does not understand the need for my sons to fight, does not understand honor.

Perhaps I am being unfair. She has come into our clan from a very different culture, where fighting was a dishonorable act. It is for Donatello to decide whether to train his son in the art of ninjitsu. But how can I stand aside and allow my grandson to grow up unprepared for the hostility he would meet in the human world? Will he be kept hidden here, in the tunnels, his entire life? Perhaps Donatello will wish to live elsewhere with his family, away from humans, where his son can be kept safe without fighting.

The unsettling train of thought made Splinter's whiskers twitch. No. My sons are a team. They have always been a team. Donatello must see Kouki needs training…

A small tap at the door announced Austin's presence before the faint scent of lavender reached Splinter.

"Enter, Daughter."

Austin slipped into the room as if unsure of her welcome, and knelt before her Sensei, her head bowed.

"What is it, Austin?" he asked.

She hesitated an instant before looking up to meet Splinter's eyes. "I have to ask you for a favor, Sensei," she said hesitantly.

"How may I assist you, Daughter?"

"Well, Sir, you know my Aunt, Lucille, is in town, right?"

Splinter nodded. Leonardo had informed him of the source of Austin's distress several days before.

"Mike… Mike and I have decided… That is, with your permission, Sensei…" Austin shifted on the tatami mat, nervous. Splinter waited while she drew a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Michelangelo and I would like your… blessing, Splinter, to allow Aunt Luci to meet Skylar. We'd like to bring her into the family."

Splinter hid his surprise. "Austin, do you believe it is wise to reveal our existence to your family?" he asked. "For what reason would you do this?"

"When my mother passes," said Austin slowly, "Aunt Luci will be the last of my family who… who I can trust. Obviously my father…" She looked away, but brought her gaze back to meet Splinter's. "Aunt Luci took care of me when I was a little girl. She looked out for my mother. She's… she's all I'll have left, when Mom's gone, Splinter, outside of our family. I don't make this request lightly, but if… if you believe I shouldn't do this, for the good of the Clan… I'll… respect that decision." She met his eyes steadily.

Splinter watched the young woman. Her expression held a mixture of trepidation, hope, and courage.

She fears I will refuse. She did not have to come to me. This decision could have been made between her and Michelangelo alone, but she has come to ask my permission out of respect. The safety of our family has always been paramount… and yet, how can I ask that my daughters leave their families, sacrifice themselves? Our lives depend on secrecy. This is a difficult choice indeed.

"Austin-chan," Splinter began. He saw the glitter of tears start in his daughter-in-law's eyes and shook his head. "If you believe your obasan can be trusted, then I will not prevent you from allowing her to know about us. All I ask is that you guard our Clan's safety."

"Of course, Sensei. I wouldn't ask if I didn't believe she could be trusted," said Austin, a grin overtaking her face. She ducked her head respectfully. "Splinter, I… I must ask one more thing," she said a bit sheepishly.

"Yes?"

"I… Well, I plan to meet Aunt Luci tonight, in Central Park." She met his eyes. "I wasn't going to take Skylar unless you agreed, but I had to see her before she goes back to New Jersey tomorrow… I couldn't let her leave without at least seeing her again, even though I can't go to Mother…"

Splinter nodded his understanding and Austin trailed off. She managed a faint smile.

"See, the thing is, Splinter, I would've gone tomorrow night to meet her, when Mike could go too, but she's leaving. He and Don have plans for tonight, and he doesn't really want me to go alone, and I wondered… well, I wondered if you'd go with Skylar and I tonight to the park?"

Splinter chuckled. "My daughter, I would be honored to accompany you."

"Oh, thank you, Sensei. I was afraid we wouldn't be able to go," Austin said, the first real smile touching her lips since she'd entered Splinter's presence. "I couldn't bear the thought of not seeing Aunt Luci again before she leaves, but Mike practically forbade me to go on my own, and I can't talk to Leo…" She trailed off.

"Is Leonardo not aware of your decision to reveal our Clan to your aunt?" asked Splinter sharply.

Austin flushed. "Well, I am going to tell him, Splinter. I wouldn't keep something like that from him or go behind his back, but I thought he'd be more receptive if I had your permission first."

"Daughter," said Splinter seriously. "Leonardo is jonin. If he does not wish for you to do this, you will need to respect his wishes."

"Hai, Sensei," answered Austin, ducking her head. "I understand."

Splinter nodded, dismissing her. Austin rose, giving him one last bow, and hurried from the room.

The Rat's whiskers twitched, and he drew a deep breath, settling his spirit into the greater calm of the universe.

This too, will pass, he told himself. Our Clan has faced greater challenges, and we have always overcome them.