WHOOP! NEW CHAPTER. Part 1 of 2 for I, Monster.

Love this chapter. It was almost painful for me to write however because Arinna gets very worried for her family when they get hurt. Especially Splinter, who is one of the only true Father figures she's ever had.

LETS US BEGIN HOWEVER!


I was sniffling like a baby as Splinter patted my back. "His feet use to be so little." I sobbed. While going through the closet a few hours earlier, I had stumbled upon an old box. This box contained a few old memories. Photos, old blankets, and the little booties I gave Donatello when he was little because he feet always got so scratched up when he went into the sewer tunnels.

Being a child with endless urges to discover new things, he often stumbled upon pointy or sharp objects. So I made him these to protect his feet.

The were so little they fit into the palms of my hands. It made me tear up.

"T-They grow up so fast." I hiccupped. It seemed only yesterday I was cradling my little angels, singing them to sleep and chasing them through the halls.

Splinter handed me a tissue that I gladly accepted. "All flowers must bloom eventually Arinna." He said soothingly, patting my head to comfort me.

"I know." I whimpered, "But still… I can't help it." I hugged the little booties. "Remember when Leonardo use to sit in your lap when you meditated and tried to meditate with you, but kept falling asleep instead."

Splinter's eyes softened at the memory and he nodded. "Yes. I also recall when Raphael use to hid under the sink when he was upset, and wouldn't come out until you sang him a song."

"Twinkle little star was always his favorite." My voice cracked and I was bawling again. "And Michelangelo always followed his brothers around. Always wanted hugs… I can't even pick him up like I use to." I threw myself into Splinter's arm, feeling dramatic and missing the years when my boys were too young to understand the difference between the sewers and the surface.

"There there." Splinter soothed. Sitting there for a few minutes, I eventually composed myself.

"I'm a wreck." I noted, brushing away my tears.

"You're a mother." Splinter corrected. "It is only natural."

I smiled at him, hiding the booties behind my back when the boy shuffled in for training. Putting them in my pockets, I smiled at them, hoping my eyes didn't look red and puffy. "Morning boys.'

"Morning Mom." They smiled back, sitting in front of their Father. Realizing today was the day they would attempt their fighting skills head on with Splinter, I quickly backed up.

These never usually went well for the boys. The objective was to defeat Splinter, or at least tag him with a simple hit. The boys had never accomplished either of these two tasks.

They have gotten close in the past with stradgedies and other tactics. It was a four on one battle after all, so they were bound to get close. However, this was Splinter we were talking about. Only I could ever fully get a good strike against him, and event that took a lot of work from myself.

Then again, I've never attempted to go full out either. I can't help but wonder how that would end up; Splinter and me fighting with all our might against each other.

Leaving that thought for later, I looked back at the boys. Doing a few warm ups they moved to the other side of the room and into a circle to plan their attack on Splinter. This was also a good strategy exercise as well as combat. There were always going to be enemies the boys would struggle to fight, even with all four of them there, and if that was the case they would need a good strategy.

As Splinter always says, regardless of enemy, strategy is the key to any battle, because even if you can't beat them in strength, there is always a chance you can outsmart them.

So the boys nodded to Leo's plan, whatever it was, and got into position. Giving one last nod to one another they took off, charging at Splinter. Readying himself, Splinter took them all on one by one, throwing them over his shoulder or taking the boys out by their legs.

Keeping himself occupied with his younger children, even I hadn't noticed that Leo seemed to have stepped away from the battle, waiting to strike...

Then, the unbelievable happened. In retrospect, it was bound to happen, but the shock of it all still left me speechless.

Leonardo's fist had just connected with Splinter's jaw. Splinter's head snapped to the side as this happened, his eyes widening with the same disbelief my own eyes held.

Then, the room froze. Leonardo was left standing, arm outstretched, jaw hanging open. Eyes flickering from his fist to his Father, he sucked in a breath.

"S-Sensei-" He whispered in disbelief, fear and regret pooling in his eyes. He had never struck his Father before, and though that was suppose to be his intention actually being able to pull it off caught him off guard. He was at a lost of what to do. He was attempting to apologize at this point, "I-I'm sorry-" he lowered his arms, hesitantly reaching out for his Father to look at the damage. "I-" his fingers had grazed Splinter's cheek, hesitantly, as if he was afraid to cause more damage.

Splinter on the other hand had recovered from his shock and snagged his son's wrists, flipping him over and pinning him down with his arm.

I couldn't help but cover my mouth at the sight. Oh my gosh…

Leonardo's brother's were pale, "Leo's done for." Donatello murmured.

"Oh no he didn't." Mikey snapped his fingers in a sassy motion.

Splinter glanced at them, releasing his eldest son's arm, "Well done Leonardo." He commended, "But, just when you had the advantage, you hesitated; that left you with an opening of your own."

"H-Hai Sensei." Leonardo grunted, stumbling to his feet.

"Now." Splinter turned, folding his arms behind his back. I jumped to my feet, quick to move towards him. "That is all for today." He paused before leaving the room. "Unless you care for a rematch?"

"No thanks. I'm good. I think we're all set here." The boys replied quickly.

Nodding, Splinter slide the door open and we moved inside. It was at this time of day that we always had tea together after the boy's training. I couldn't seem to find the words to say as Splinter slowly slide the door close, standing firm at the door way.

"Dude! Leo!' I could hear the sound of rushing feet as I assume the boys were rushing their eldest brother. "I can't believe you actually tagged Sensei! That was epic."

"Not bad." Raphael says. A compliment you wouldn't often hear him say.

"The hand that punched Splinter. You know you can never wash this fist again." Mikey told him. Yeah no, he was totally washing his hand at some point. I don't care how much he begs, he is.

"I gotta say guys, it was all thanks to teamwork." Leo said proudly. "We are definitely getting better."

Splinter began to move suddenly, sitting around the table and grabbing the tea cups. I shuffled after him, my attention still focused on the boy's conversation. He seemed proud to hear his son's speak, but his smile quickly fell as the conversation continued.

"You think we are catching up to Splinter?" Donatello inquired.

"Yeah, maybe soon we won't need him to train us." Mikey suggested excitedly.

Looking to Splinter, I could see that he was silent. His ears twitched at the sound of Mikey's voice and he lowered his head.

I wondered if he was… upset that Leonardo tagged him. I mean, I tag him all the time, but the boys are different. They still can't tag me sometimes.

Hey wait, if they are able to tag Splinter, does that mean that they would be able to tag me as well? Aww. That is almost tragic.

"They grow up so fast… don't they?' I mused aloud. Opening his eyes, he glanced at me. When he said nothing again, I frowned. "Hey." I said softly, placing hand on his shoulder. "They were just excited, you know that. This is the first time ever they actually got a hit on you. And it was four against one too." I reminded him.

"Yes, I know." Splinter nodded. But I could still feel a hesitation with him. As if he couldn't admit that this was troubling him. I can't say I blame him but, there is no way the boys are even close to Splinter's level. Perhaps as a team and when they aren't cocky, sure they are getting close, but the boys as individuals still have a very long way to go. (And it wasn't hard to actually hit your enemy if you really tried. The goal is defeat, which is a tougher battle to conquer.)

I knew that.

But did Splinter?

Unable to voice my thoughts, I sipped my tea, watching him closely.

"…Good tea." I said.

"Yes." He agreed.

That was the last time we spoke until my own training a few hours later.

-00000 Nicole 0000-

"And what have we learned?" Nicole sighed, tieing of the bandage around Pete's wrist.

Pete stared at his hand with teary eyes, sniffling, "That… oven's are hot?" he inquired.

"That, and~?" Nicole raised an eyebrow. Pete struggled with this for a second.
"We… shouldn't touch the oven when it is hot?" he asked hesitantly. Nicole nodded.

"Yes. Because you get burns, and burns hurt." She patted Pete's hand. "But you are all bandaged up and good to go."

Pete smiled, "Can I have some bread?"
"One loaf." she reached over her shoulder to grab one. "Don't eat it whole because that is the only piece you get, so make it last."
"I will." he assured her, flying off. Watching him shoot up to the attic, she paused as she passed by the window. It seemed ready to rain at this point-! Out of nowhere, a large group of people suddenly shot past her window.

Confused to why they were in such a big rush, she opened the window to glance out. Not seeing the problem, her eyes trailed down the road to a sea of… black?

A black sea of… something? Eyeing it, she almost threw up when she realized what exactly they were. "Oh gross…" Nicole scrunched up her nose at the sea of rats piling into the city.

Rats… literal rats. She knew there were rats in New York, a large amount of them, but she had never seen them move like this and around so many people. It is like they were moving robotically, like some well formed army march.

It freaked Nicole out more than she thought she would, "What is the world is going on." She quickly rushed back into the kitchen and around the counter to grab her phone. This definitely wasn't normal.

And who do you call when things get un-normal.

Well the weirdos of course. And who is the weirdest person she knows?

The Mother of 4 mutant children, student of a rat mutant, and lover of grapefruit.

Arinna.

-0000 Arinna 0000-

I enjoy grapefruit. I mean, who doesn't enjoy grapefruit? Probably a lot, but I love it.

I also enjoyed my training with Splinter despite what I always tell him. It was hard to describe but I felt… at peace during this time. My goal was to improve my own skills and push myself, but knowing that Splinter was there and was guiding me to get better put me at ease.

If that makes sense.

So that is probably why my favorite part of the day is my one on one training with him. Even when I was made at him, this was still my favorite thing to do. (Especially when it gave me the chance to give him a good smack without it looking like I've wanted to do that all day.)

"Are you ready Arinna?" Splinter inquired.

We stood against each other.

"Always am." I smiled, bending my knees. "Ready to get tagged?"

"Are you?" he snickered. We shared a breath of air then charged.

I ducked when he swung the blade at me, using the hilt of my own sword to knock him back. Taking a few steps to compose himself we circled each other. Twirling my blade in my hand I ran forward. He was ready to meet me and bent his knees to block my attack. Pushing our blades against each other, I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Be serious." he smirked.

"I am." I wiggled my eyebrows.
"No, you never are. Not unless you are angry." he attempted to use his tail to trip me. This was a trick I often fell for back when I first started training with him.

"Isn't that a good thing? You never have to worry about me kicking your butt unless you tick me off." I grin, leaping back and over his tail. It curled slightly, moving back behind him.

"It could also be considered a bad thing." he mused. "One should always take their enemy seriously."
"I do." I say. "I just…" I didn't know how to explain it, "I never feel willing to go all out unless I am required to. It isn't like you show all the boys your tricks in one day."

"True." he agreed, swide stepped when I swung at him and grabbing my arm. Turning my arm I turned with it, using my legs to kick his knee and the two of us dropped to the floor. Rolling apart, we sprang up and swung at each other a few times.

Just as Splinter was about to strike me, he froze. Arms held high in the air, his gaze seemed to lose focus. I frowned, blinking a few times as I stepped back. He didn't move to follow me, seemingly stuck in the pose.

"Splinter?" I inquired, considering this to be some sort of trick.

He blinked a few times, his eyes suddenly changing red. (...Ugh, I've never seen this trick before.)

He growled, his voice sounding feral and… foreign.

Huh? What the-

"AHHHH!" Splinter let out a piercing scream of pain before I could even wrap my head around the situation. I jumped, the blade slipping from my hand and onto the floor. He shrieked again before his knees buckled and he fell towards me. I caught him just before he could hit the ground, sliding to my knees with him. His upper body leaned against me, heavy and gasping for breath. He clung to me suddenly, holding on for dear life.

"Spli…" I choked out a breath, "Splinter?" I screamed. A paralyzing fear swept over me, piercing my heart. What was happening. Was he hurt? Did I hurt him?

Rolling him over, I cradled him as gently as I could.. "Splinter? Splinter what is it?" I squeaked desperately. "Talk to me? Tell me what is happening."

He groaned out a response, his words fumbling over each other as he struggled to get a decent amount of air into his chest. Reaching up blindly, he gripped my shoulder, his eyes wide and searching. "A-Ari-"

"I-I'm here." I stammered, "I'm right here Splinter."

The Dojo doors suddenly flew open and the boys were barreling inside.

"What's going on?!" Raphael bellowed. Spotting their Father collapsed and seemingly in pain, they sprang into action.

"Sensei! Are you okay?" Donnie the first to slide next to use, dropping to his knee to examine Splinter for any sign of injuries. Just as he began to fuss over him, Splinter held up a hand. We stopped, watching cautiously as he opened his eyes and blinked.

Taking a deep breath, he mumbled, "I… am fine…". He paused to take a look at his position. Releasing my shoulders he pulled back and sat up.

"You sure you are alright?' the boys blinked, looking back and forth from him to me for answers. I didn't know what to say. I didn't understand what happened.

"Yeah? Did mom kick ya or something?' Raphael folded his arms.

Splinter shook his head, using his elbows to lift himself up from my arm, giving me a nod of thanks. My hands were shaking as his fingers slipped from my own. I had never heard him scream like that before.

It was… terrifying.

I suddenly didn't want to pull away, and snagged his hand again, holding it tight. "You are not alright." I insisted. Looking up in surprise, something flickered in Splinter's eyes. It was as if he could see the fear in my eyes.

"I am fine, my friend." He assured, squeezing my fingers. "I apologize for making you worry like that."

Not really convinced, I frowned and looked down at his hand. "W-What was that?" I asked wearily.

Splinter's gaze faltered, "I do not know. But it has passed now."

"Are you sure-" Donatello straightened when his phone began to sound. The tone of… singing birds, echoed through the dojo? "That's April's ring tone!' he gasped. In reply to that, Raphael and Michelangelo began to make kissing noises. (Well, I suppose that is one way to change the mood.)

It seemed almost unnatural to have this huge change of atmosphere from just a ring tone.

None the less, Donnie shoved his brother's out of the way to pick up his phone. "Hey April!' he grinned happily. Blushing, realizing he sounded too excited, he deepened his voice, "I mean, hey April. Hey April-" he trailed off and I assume April told him to stop talking. Blinking, Donatello nodded. "We'll be right there April." He assured her.

"What's going on?" Leo asked.

"I don't know all the details yet but April is in trouble." Donatello explained.

Leonardo frowned, rising to his feet. "Then we better get going." He paused, "Are you positive you are okay Sensei?"

"Yes." He assured them. "Go to April."

"Mom?" the boys looked at me.

"I… I think I'll stay." I said softly. The boys could handle helping April.

"You sure?" Raph blinked, surprised that I wouldn't want to go.

"Yeah. I um… want to stay with Splinter. Make sure he is alright." I took his arm to help him too his feet. He didn't look pleased that I was fussing over him, but I think he realized that I wasn't going to let him argue out of this.

"Well, okay." Leo nodded. "We'll call you if we need you."

I nodded, giving them a weak smile. "Be careful."

"We will!" they rushed off.

Watching them go, I stood at the center of the room for a few second before I began to realize I should be doing something. "Let me get you something to drink." I told Splinter. With wobbly knees, he shook his head and rose to his feet.

"I'll join you to the kitchen."

"You don't-"

"I am fine." He moved past me before I could stop him.

"Uh- Fine would be not collapsing in the middle of training." I corrected. Stumbling to follow, I slide through the door before he could, watching his every move cautiously. He moved to sit on the mat in the center of the living room and I took that as a cue to rush into the kitchen.

My hands couldn't seem to stop trembling as I grabbed the teapot and some cups. My hands it tapping viciously on the side of the over as I wait for the water to boil. "…Cabbage cabbage cabbage." I chanted. My go to words of serenity.

Weird words probably to choose, but saying those tended to calm me down. "Cabbage. CabbageCabbageCabbage."

"Arinna?" Splinter calls from the living room. "You do not need to worry my friend." He stresses, most likely hearing my quiet panic attack.

How can I not- of course I am worried! Splinter has never collapsed like that before. When I held him, he felt so… frail. Like I would break him if I gripped too tightly.

Splinter wasn't weak. He didn't fall over or scream the way he did. Horrified and engulfed in pain. I-

"…Cabbagecabbagecabbage." I whispered, snatching the pot off the oven the second it began to make a wailing sound. Realizing I forgot to grab an oven mitt I hissed, dropping the pot onto the table and waving my hand.

"Arinna?" Splinter called again, concerned.

"Fine!" I called. "…Fine." Putting on an oven mitt I moved back to him, seated myself across from him and made him a cup of tea. He eyed me wearily as I did this, sipping his tea without a word.

I watched his every move as he did this, being the very definition of creepy.

"How about you rest?" I suggested softly as he finished his cup.

He looked at me. "Arinna, I am fine." He insisted. "You do not need to hover around me."

"What? I'm not." I waved it off quickly, realizing I was caught.

"Yes, you are." Splinter gave me a small smile.

I frowned, hesitantly looking back at him. "I…" I sighed, knowing I couldn't put my worries past him. "Of course I am. How could I not?"

"I appreciate your concern." He patted my shoulder. "But you needn't stress yourself over this."

"I can't help it." I say. Sensing his gaze on me, I looked up when he shifted.

"I understand. If it makes you feel better, I shall rest." Rising to his feet, Splinter moved to rest on the mat within the middle of the lair. Watching him, I glanced around awkwardly as I realized he was just going to go to sleep right in the middle of the lair.

"Would you- are you going to your room?" I asked.

"No." he answered, folding his arms over his chest and closing his eyes.

"Well I- uh- okay then." I brushed off my knees and attempted to quietly busy myself with some cleaning. Glancing at him from time to time, I could see his breathing getting slower, his muscles relaxing. He was officially asleep.

Good. He needed it.

Later, when I'm wondering if Splinter is just sleeping or (remember to breath) dead, I slide over to him with the speed of a bullet. It was ridiculous of me to think for even a moment that he was dead, but his breathing was so soft and gentle, I couldn't tell if he was actually doing it.

But as I placed my ear near his mouth, hearing a quiet exhale, I sighed in relief.

Pulling back, I sat there and looked down at him, considering grabbing him a blanket. My feet didn't move.

Okay, I know this is a little creepy, but I was sort of just… watching him sleep.

Oh don't look at me like that. I was worried!

I wanted to make sure nothing went wrong.

I didn't know how to explained it, but I felt so scared. I didn't want Splinter hurt, so I stayed with him, quietly watching over him for any sign of a disturbance. He would also do the same for me when I was ill so it is only fair when I do it to him, yes?

Granted he isn't sick but whatever.

"..." I tapped my knees nervously, my body feeling so… shaky. "...Cabbage… cabbage…" I chanted under my breath, hugging my knees.

A small grunt caught my attention. Lifting my head, my eyes widened to see Splinter shifting slightly in his sleep. His eyebrows scrunched together, his face contorting into discomfort. A nightmare perhaps?

Maybe I should wake him up if that is the case. I want him getting good sleep, not nightmare panic sleep. Reaching forward I shook his shoulders. He didn't stir. I tried several times.

Try as I might, nothing seemed to wake him up! I was freaking out! I didn't know what to do!

"Ugh… Uh,..." I fumbled, waving my hands around. Placing a hand to his forehead I felt his temperature. He was warm, similar to how he is when he is meditating. Was he in a meditation kind of state then? His breathing was rather shallow for it to be sleeping. That had to be it.

How do you wake someone from a deep meditational sleep? Uhh…. something about meditation too, right?

Then I remembered something. Splinter sometimes said that one could connect to another's conscious through meditation. So I thought I would give it a go, see what happens.

If nothing else, and I'm just really overthinking the problem here, I'll just connect with Splinter's mind for a few seconds. He should wake up if there is no problem and scold me for trying that on him, but I am willing to risk that to make sure he is okay.

.It as all I could think of.

...I wonder if he thinks of cheese a lot? I suppose I am about to find out.

So I got into my meditation stance and concentrated. I didn't even notice when the boys came in.

I learned later on that they had tried to wake up both Splinter and me by poking us, but we were too lost in our own consciousness.

Speaking of my consciousness, connecting to Splinter's mind to my own… was the weirdest thing I've ever done!

I didn't even connect with him for very long.

I remember everything was dark, but I could see a two forms in the distance. I wasn't able to make them out, but one seem to be on the floor while the other loomed over them.

"Join me!' one of them commanded. It was a strange conversation to suddenly come into. It was like I was suddenly thrown into a Star Wars movie or something.

"No…" a weak voice replied. It was Splinter! The one collapsed on the ground was Splinter! Why was he on the ground? Was this weirdo guy picking on him?! Hey! Leave Splinter alone!

"Splinter! Splinter!" I called to him

Splinter lifted his head in surprise when I called to him while the other form cursed.

"The girl from before." It growled. "How dare you interfere."

"Arinna?" Splinter murmured weakly. Growling furiously at the second form that seemed to be besides him, he kicked his foot out, vanquishing the being. Waiting to make sure he was gone and seeing that he was Splinter rushed towards me.

"Splinter!" I grinned. Before he got to me, something, almost like an invisible wall, stopped us. "Oh what? Invisible wall? Who even uses these?' I grumbled angrily.

"The separation of our two minds." Splinter noted to himself. His gaze fell on me. "Arinna, how did you get here?'

"… I meditated." I shrugged.

"You mastered such a high mediation?"

"Well, I wouldn't say mastered." I rubbed the back of my head. "I sort of just… winged it."

"Winged it?" Splinter repeated

"Yeah." I nodded with a smile. I suddenly grew serious, remembering why I was here. "Splinter. Are you alright? You wouldn't wake up! What that weirdo guy bugging you? Do I need to beat him up?" I pounded my fists together.

"I-" he paused to look over his shoulder. The bandaged man or whoever he was from earlier was gone. "… I am fine, now that you are here." He assured me.

Frowning, I lifted my hand up and pressed it against the invisible wall.

"Are… you sure?" I asked weakly? Blinking, Splinter glanced at my hand. With a warm smile, he reached up and placed his hand on the invisible wall as well

"Yes my friend. To think, you would resort to connecting our minds to check my health. You say that I hover when you are ill." Splinter chuckled.

"Are you ill?" I gasped.

"Perhaps in the mind." he sighed. "I'll admit, something strange is at work here Arinna." he glanced around with narrowed eyes. "We should return to consciousness."

"...How do I do that again?" I frowned. Splinter blinked once, tapping his nose. "...I don't know what that means." I admit.

Splinter smirked, closing his eyes. "Allow me." he says. A second later, feeling like I just went through the worse wave of whiplash, my eyes snapped open and I fell back into Raphael's arms.
"Whoa!" he gasped. The boys were surrounding us, Mikey for some reason holding Donatello's staff above Splinters head.

"You two are awake." Leo smiled in relief. "Nothing would wake you up."

"That was…" I covered my mouth, feeling horrible, "Never doing that again." I gagged, rolling onto my side. "Ugh…"