YOSHI AND SPLINTER

SPLINTER

The next morning after eating his breakfast subject MAR001 stands before Yoshi with a shock collar on. "Ohayou gozai masu…" Yoshi says in Japanese with a bow, "It means good morning in Japanese."

Splinter bows in return, "Ohayou gozai masu."

"Well done…In the Japanese Language, pronunciation is everything. So in addition to your training I will teach you Japanese Customs and Language. You will refer to me as Master Yoshi."

"Yes Master Yoshi."

They start off with meditation and sit down on mats with their legs folded and hands on their knees. Their breathing is slow and steady. In his mind Splinter as he is now called figures that meditating calms the mind and helps heighten the senses, though his senses did not need heightening, as Splinter had exceptional senses in sight, hearing, and smell.

"What the hell is this?" Michael Stockman asks walking up. Splinter opens one eye and then quickly closes it as Master Yoshi remains seated with his eyes closed.

"I am teaching Splinter to meditate…It is part of his Ninja training." He replies with his eyes still closed.

"Looks like a waste of time!"

"Mister Stockman…You hired me to teach Splinter and this is a part of his training regimen. If what you say about his ability to learn is true then no lesson is a waste of time, for he will learn faster than anyone who has ever studied Ninjitsu. And with that Michael walks away. Of the humans he has encountered the only one Splinter likes is Professor Shannon O'neal. It is because of her that he gets to read books and play chess. Splinter only watches documentaries and educational programs on the television.

After two hours of Meditation, they stretch and start with Ninjitsu hand to hand moves for the next two hours. Then it is basic weapon's training with the broken staff. Splinter was allowed to choose from among the weapons. Then they break for lunch, "In your spare time practice what I have you taught Splinter."

"Yes Master…" He looks up from his bacon turkey sub, "Master."

"Yes Splinter."

"May I ask you a question."

"You are free to ask me anything you wish."

"Why did you choose the name Splinter for me?"

"I lived in a village in Japan under the protection of the Ninja Foot Clan. At the age of five my father gave me over to the Foot Clan. As part of our training the Masters give us each pets to raise. I had a pet rat named Splinter…You have eyes similar to his."

"What happened to your pet?"

The whole time Yoshi spoke his head was down. He looks up and replies, "I killed him."

"Why?"

"They wanted to teach us a lesson about attachments."

In just a few weeks, Splinter masters meditation, basic combat forms, the broken staff, and the Katana sword. Splinter stands on a pole with one leg blindfolded as Yoshi shoots arrows at him. With his ears alone, he must dodge the arrows, break or catch them with his hands. As time passes Splinter develops a deep respect for Yoshi and his culture.

When he is not training with Yoshi Splinter practices on his own, developing his own style and using his tail in his attacks. And the more time he spends with Yoshi the more he wonders about his Master's past. "Master are you still a part of the Foot Clan?"

He sighs, "I am not ready to share that part of my life yet."

That is when Professor Shannon O'neal appears, "Ah you guys are finished for the day…Splinter are you ready for our weekly game."

He bows, "Hai!" Splinter catches Yoshi sneaking a glance at Shannon and it was not the first time he caught him either. As Splinter sets up the board Yoshi walks away. "Professor are you married?"

She looks at him, "No…Why do you ask?"

"My Master seems to fancy you…Do you have…what is the word…Boy-mate."

She smiles, "Boyfriend and no."

"I think the two of you would make a fine couple."

"Did he put you up to this?"

"No…"

YOSHI

As Yoshi walks away he thinks about his attraction to Professor O'neal. In his mind and heart Yoshi never thought he would feel this way about another woman but the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. One day he is in the elevator. It stops and Shannon gets on. She smiles at him and presses the button. "Miss O'neal…I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner one evening."

"Yes, I'd like that." She writes her number on a piece of paper. "Call me with the details."

"Yes I will."

A few days later they go to a pizza slash bowling alley. They talk, eat, and bowl. "Are you having fun?"

"Yes I am…You surprise me."

Yoshi smiles, "How so?"

"Pizza and bowling."

"When I came to America, I worked for a garage. One of the customers was so pleased with my work that he gave us free pizza anytime we wished. As not to insult him we ate the pizza and enjoyed it immensely. As for bowling my boss has a team and we play in a league against other business owners. They spend the entire night, talking and wind up on the roof of a building watching the sunrise.

"You seem happy Master." Splinter says to Yoshi.

"I am Splinter. Miss O'neal tells me that you asked about her marital status."

"I did Master."

"Why?"

"Well the two of you seem like a fit. If I overstepped please forgive me Master." He sighs and tells Splinter about his past with the Foot Clan. Professor Baxter had created an exo-skeleton suit for Yoshi. The suit would increase Yoshi's speed and strength, so that he could spar with Splinter.

"So I hear that you are dating Professor O'neal." Baxter says helping Yoshi into the suit.

Yoshi looks at him and then looks away, "Your voice, Professor has the sound of a man who is jealous. If you are attracted to Miss O'neal, why didn't you speak up?"

"I'm a shy man when it comes to the opposite sex. You…you're a ninja. You trained to be confident. To have no fears."

He looks at him again, "The only limitations a man has in life are those he places on himself. That being said, find someone else. There are plenty of women in the world."

Yoshi walks away, "Yeah but you got the one I want."

Because of the exo-skeleton Yoshi is able to spar with Splinter. The first three days, Yoshi is able to soundly beat Splinter. On the fourth day Yoshi wins, but he had been pushed to the extreme. The next day when they meet to spar Splinter defeats Yoshi. Yoshi bows to Splinter, "The Student has become the teacher."

Splinter returns the bow, "You honor me Master."

"I have one last gift for you." He goes to his bag and removes the scroll from it. "This is the highest form of Foot Clan Ninjitsu…"

Splinter takes the scroll and opens it, "This has been transcribed."

"Yes."

"Shato Oshi Utsu…" Splinter says reading, "Shato Oshi Strike."

"Yes…I have only been able to translate some of the ancient glyphs, but not all…I believe that you will succeed where I have failed."

"If I succeed Master I will tell you."

Yoshi raises his hand, "No…Keep it to yourself. I know you will succeed. It is a test of true Mastery of the Foot Clan art of Ninjitsu." Splinter bows.