Matthew Gemm: Well Drew will meet individuals/groups that he won't find so great in book 4. I'm not sure about the Amazon one now, but I might do it. Also, I'm thinking of introducing Donna Troy in another way.

Chapter 24: Philosopher's Problem

(TMNT 2003-10 Dimension, turtles' lair, a few days later)

Master Splinter had been making Drew's training regime tighter, making him do a multitude of the varying disciplines of ninjutsu. The old master had been making Drew continuously train, but Drew had done everything Master Splinter told him to do. Master Splinter is on the far side of the dojo while Drew practices in the center.

"Upper rising block!" Master Splinter called out.

Drew quickly raised up his right arm, which was bent at the elbow above his head.

"Tiger Claw strike!" Master Splinter shouted.

Drew then thrust forth his left hand, his hand in the shape of a tiger's paw with its claws extruded.

"Dragon Sweeps Its Tail!" Master Splinter called out.

Drew quickly lowered his body, then sweeped his right leg in a complete circle after it had been extended.

"Split Kick!" Master Splinter shouted.

Drew leapt in the air, then jumped in the air then completely did a kicking split with both of his legs.

'He's learning fast...he's quickly mastering each technique I teach him…his powers are a great asset to help him master the disciplines of ninjutsu…though he knows he has a long way to go…' The old master mused in his mind.

Drew then landed on the mat.

"Back Fist Strike!" Master Splinter called out.

Drew quickly turned with his right arm, with from the elbow to the fist was upright as if he punched someone who was running up behind him.

"Front Snap Kick!" Master Splinter shouted.

Drew then quickly kicked up his left leg in the air, his foot flat pointing at an angle.

"Double Kick Counter!" Master Splinter commanded.

Drew quickly then jumped up and kicked outwards with his left leg, then turned quickly and kicked with his right leg immediately after landing on the mat.

"Good…now…let us continue your training…but not with Taijutsu." Master Splinter said.

"Alright." Drew replied.

The old master had Drew in a bowing position, sitting on his knees. The rat mutant had a wooden sword in his hands, displaying it to Drew.

"Focus Drew-san, trying to anticipate when the attack is coming. Use your other senses, without being able to directly see your foe's strike makes you rely on other abilities." Master Splinter said.

Drew nodded. The old master then walked behind Drew and raised the sword above his head. Drew knew this had to do more with his senses, there was something more to it. Master Splinter then swung the sword down, but only hit air. Drew was kneeling two feet to the right of the old master, facing him.

"Very good Drew-san. Evading a sword you cannot see demonstrates an ability to sense your enemy's intention. Even though you know your enemy wishes to defeat you explains that they will strike is a given. Sensing when they will strike can mean the difference between victory and defeat." Master Splinter explained.

"I see." Drew said.

"I know you realized there was more to it than just focusing on your other senses." The old master said.

"I felt there was something more to it." Drew admitted.

"Very perceptive." The rat mutant chuckled.

"I suppose." Drew replied.

"Hmm…tell me Drew-san. How do you find your training?" Master Splinter asked.

"It's necessary for me to do this…I have to prepare whatever situation comes my way that I have to fight without my powers…I know what I want to say…I just…it's hard for me to verbally communicate it." Drew answered.

Master Splinter rubbed his long white beard, contemplating his words.

"You have a philosopher's problem Drew-san. Your emotions and thoughts are clear…but to verbally explain is difficult because they are so complex & full of meaning you don't know the right words to use." The old master said.

"I…I guess." Drew replied, scratching his shaggy black hair.

The old master chuckled.

"Come Drew-san." Master Splinter said, motioning for Drew too follow him.

Drew stood up and followed the rat mutant into the room where Master Splinter announced he was going to train Drew. There was a table in the middle of the room with two cups on either side with a tea kettle between them with steam coming from the nose end of the kettle.

"Sit…let us talk and drink tea." Master Splinter said.

Drew sat down in a meditation positon on one side of the table. Master Splinter picked up the kettle and poured tea into Drew's cup then poured tea into his. The old master then put the kettle down where it originally sat, walked over to the other side of the table, and sat in the same way as Drew.

"Drink, the tea is warm. It clears your senses and is quite soothing as well." Master Splinter said, picking up his tea cup then began sip his tea.

Drew picked up his tea and began to drink. It was warming, the heat clearing his senses and calming him. It was also quite good too.

"Thanks for the tea." Drew said.

Master Splinter smiled and nodded.

"This is also good for the spirit; it calms one's chi. I suspect despite your desire to learn martial arts; you have the mission to return from whence you came." The old master said.

"I…The leader of the Light said someone was coming…someone whom the Justice League had no hope of defeating…I…" Drew sighed.

"You wish to be there to protect those you care for." Master Splinter said

"I know they can take care of themselves and don't wish for them to not do what they feel is right when it will possibly come to facing whomever Vandal Savage spoke of…but…I just feel…I feel…" Drew stammered, tears streaming down his face.

Master Splinter saw the expression on Drew's face as the tears continued to come.

"That is the first time I have seen you cry Drew-san." The rat mutant said.

"The last time I cried, my parents laughed at me while tested my ability to heal from different kinds of wounds when I was younger." Drew answered, then his tears disappeared.

"I am still shocked your parents would do that to you. You had no true guidance in your life Drew-san…you…I tried to guide my sons without the poison of hatred within them. You've done things that of which you've told us people have called you a monster for…though I could see in your eyes that you did not enjoy ending those lives despite those men were evil. I'm sorry Drew-san." Master Splinter sighed.

Drew closed his eyes, his mind replaying all the memoires he had of the violent events of his life as if it were a movie being rewinded and played again.

"…It can't be changed…I just hope things will get better…despite I've become use to the worst happening…I just don't know what to think or do anymore…I…I just…" Drew sighed.

"You must be stronger than the pain you have suffered Drew-san. To be a true ninja is to find balance in all things, including their emotions." Master Splinter said.

"Yes sensei." Drew replied.

To be continued…