Radical Transformation
Saturday morning was a rainy, but sunny day, and no one in April O'Neil's apartment was up to take notice. They were still in bed, not even thinking about getting up. Not even awake for some of them.
But the first door to open this morning was the guest room door, and out of it Master Splinter emerged, well slept and feeling refreshed. He closed his door softly, and looked at the room.
The sunlight was shining brightly past the curtains, making the couch and kitchen counter glow, and the rain beat steadily on the windows. It wasn't as bad as yesterday, but it was still rainy.
Splinter sighed contently and walked over to the kitchen, past his sleeping sons Leo and Donnie, where he started to make his cup of morning tea. He was just stirring his tea when the problems of his sons filled his head. As Master, he would do his best to help them get back to their original form; and they would also put in their help. But would they want to? If they found a way to change back, would they want to? Being human gave them freedom to do what they had dreamed of since they were very little. Splinter knew it was shocking and even distressing at first when they realised what they were, but his sons had gotten used to this new life, and would they find it better than before? Somewhere in Splinter's head said of course they would, but he refused to think of what they would say if they found a cure for their condition. Would they turn it down with a shake of their head; hand it back - throw it back? It made the rat sigh with sadness just to think about how they would throw their original life away.
Splinter stopped stirring his tea and let the soothing steam float up onto his face. He breathed in the aroma, and his ears pricked. He smiled, eyes closed while enjoying the sweet smelling tea.
"Ah, good morning Michelangelo," Splinter said. He turned around to face his son.
Mikey froze, and then smiled. He had been trying to sneak up on his Master, but of course the old Sensei had sensed him. He limped over to the counter next to Splinter.
"Morning Master," he said brightly. His injury had no effect on his happy personality.
Splinter's smile widened slightly. "You should be resting, my son. Taking some pressure off of your injury."
"Ah, you know I can't be cooped up too long, and my stomach was calling for some food!"
Mikey limped over to the fridge, and pulled it open. He took a long few seconds to take a look at what food was in there, and then he made a thoughtful noise and closed the fridge.
"Mostly health food, how can April live on that?" Mikey made a face. "We need some ingredients for a serious breakfast dude!" He turned to his Master. "Can I go into town and get some?"
Splinter shook his head. His son seemed to be forgetting he had an injured foot, and the pain was obviously pushed into the back of his brain, with the thought of food to the front.
"With that foot? No, Michelangelo." Splinter gave his answer firmly.
Mikey stuck out his lip. "Aw please, my foot don't hurt THAT bad, really. We turtles heal quickly and cleanly!" He added with pride, beaming.
"Except that you are no longer in turtle form, but human form, and there fore heal like a human," Splinter said softly.
Mikey's face fell as well as his shoulders.
"Hey Mikey, morning Splinter," a sleepy voice behind them spoke.
Mikey turned around to see April in her white dressing gown. She was wrapping the cords around her slim body and tying them.
"Oh, hi Ape," Mikey said, a little less enthusiastically than normal.
"Good morning April," Splinter smiled. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"I'd love one, thanks," April smiled back. She walked over and helped Splinter make it.
"April, how come you don't have any breakfast food in here?" Mikey said, looking in the fridge again.
"I do, it's in there," she pointed to a cupboard in the corner.
"Nah, not the cereals, I mean grub WE call breakfast." Mikey slammed the fridge shut again and looked at her.
"Oh, junk food and pizza," April said without even having to think.
"Yeah!"
"Because you guys eat it all."
"Oh."
April poured the boiled water into the teapot, while Splinter poured out the milk. He had brought out five cups for his sons and April.
Leo, yawning and stretching, straightened up from the floor and rubbed sleet from his eyes.
"Hiya Leo," April said, pouring the tea water into three of the mugs. She took one to Leo, who was now stretching his leg muscles in a half sitting position.
"Thanks April," he said, and took his mug by the handle. Donnie was now waking.
After she had supplied Donnie with his tea, and pointed Mikey to his, April asked the guys what they would do today.
"I wanna get some ingredients for some breakfast!" Mikey whined.
Leo raised his eyebrows. "Mikey you can hardly walk."
"Yeah I can!" And to prove it, he took a couple of gingerly steps. "Please, I really don't wanna be stuck in here all day! Hey - what if we go back and grab out skateboard, then I could use that - or blades - or a bike! I won't stop asking until you say yeah."
Leo sighed while Donnie grinned.
"You could go with him while I go with Raph and take that coat back to Prida," Donnie said. "We could check anywhere for unusual activity in the meantime - not that there'll be any in the day."
"How do you know that coat was Prida's?" Leo asked, frowning.
Donnie smiled knowingly. "I'm a genius, I know these things . . . besides, it was pretty obvious, I mean, it had May Valantine's name in it, and we know Prida has a sister."
Leo groaned and shook his head. He didn't even have to ask why Donnie went looking through a coat that wasn't his. He looked to his Master.
"I think it is good for you all to get some fresh air," Splinter said. "But Michelangelo is to stay out only to get the ingredients he wants, and will journey to town on bike."
"Coolies!" Mikey said, grinning. He finished his tea and dumped the mug in the bowl. "So when we going? I'm hungry!"
()()()()
After taking Casey's bike from the parking lot, which was always left there, Mikey was ready to split. He had got ready, and tied his bandanna around his forehead (trying it around his eyes first, but it looked odd now), and had got his brothers' bandanna for them so they could leave quicker. But he had to wait for his lazy brother, Raph, to get up first. He, Leo, Donnie and Mikey would be walking so far together, then Raph and Donnie would take a different route (if they had to) to Prida's to take the coat back, as Donnie had to follow Raph, who knew the way. April insisted on giving them some more money, and Leo, who refused, said they already had some they had saved from before when she sent them into town. But Mikey didn't refuse the sweet smell of more money, and thanked her for it, with Leo scowling behind him. They all said bye to Splinter, waved to April, and set off up the street. It was still raining, but only lightly.
"Mikey, if your foot gets too painful, we can head back," Leo said to his brother, who was riding slowly on the bike next to all of them.
"Are you kidding, bro?" Mikey shook his head. "I'll be fine, stop worrying, worry for Raph or someone."
"Hey," Raph growled, Prida's sister's coat slung over his shoulder.
Donnie tilted his head at his brother in red. "Yeah, Mike's right, you're still limping and you shouldn't be."
"Look, I'm fine, now stop gawking!" Raph snapped.
"You're in hospital tomorrow, aren't you both?" Leo asked, dodging a lamppost he was about to walk into.
"What?" Raph frowned.
"Oh yeah," Donnie nodded. "Gotta have these stitches out, and yours." Donnie pointed to Raph's leg after pointing at his arm.
"Oh great," Raph rolled his eyes, half moaning.
They all silenced for a while as they walked. A few people stared at the identical teenagers, who didn't have their own colours on because April had insisted they had to be washed. So now Mikey and Raph were wearing blue-grey, baggy T-shirts, and Leo and Donnie were wearing navy. They kept asking April why so many of Casey's shirts were at her place, but she kept using the same excuse: That he gets in fights and ends up at her places, 'accidentally' forgetting to take his shirts with him the next day.
The people on the streets, especially kids from their school they had seen, stared even more. They couldn't tell who was who now without the coloured T-shirts, but they couldn't tell before. Though, they did have their bandannas on.
As the rounded the corner that lead to the beginning of the first lot of shops, Donnie looked to Raph and asked, "where d'we go from here then?"
"Up there," Raph pointed across the street to another running away from the shops. His red bandanna was a little darker red now the rain had seen to it.
"Okay, see ya later back home," Leo called, as Donnie and Raph started walking straight away. They had disappeared round the corner within a few seconds. Leo turned to Mikey on Casey's bike.
"To the food store!" Mikey said, pointing, and set off on the bike fast, then wheeling around and joining Leo again.
"What exactly do you want?" Leo asked. By now the rain had managed to make it look like someone had sprayed him with a water gun, and the whether didn't seem to want to stop there.
"Anything good enough for the mornings . . . everything to be exact!"
Leo rolled his eyes, and they set off for the nearest food store. Mikey parked his bike outside, and limped inside with Leo, both dripping from the rain.
They had just walked into a large superstore, and at once someone called Mikey's name.
"Mikey! Hey, Mikey!"
Matt Hill came running over, a can of spaghetti in his hand.
"Hey Matt," Mikey greeted.
"How's the foot doing?" Matt asked, now catching his breath. "Man, I would be freaked if my toe fell off and had to be stitched back on."
Mikey frowned. "What? My toe didn't fall off."
"But that's what your brother said!" Matt exclaimed.
Mikey looked at Leo, who put on a face that said 'you can guess who'.
"The one in the red shirt," Matt described.
"That's Raph, don't listen to that idiot," Leo said, slightly annoyed.
"No, just my foot, got sliced, but I'm mending." Mikey said.
"Oh good, you'll be in school on Monday, right? And . . . you didn't get knocked out either, did you?"
"Yeah, I'll probably be in school, and, er, no I didn't get knocked out."
Matt nodded. "Another Ralph joke."
"Raph -"
"Raph joke."
Both Leo and Mikey corrected him, then smiled.
Matt apologised, and then had to dash because his mother was at the checkout counter and was shouting at him to get over there with the can of spaghetti. Matt said he might call in on Mikey at his home one day if he could, then ran back to the counter. They said bye and started to walk along the food shelves, Mikey bobbing up and down because of his limp.
"Okay, I think a nice, big tin of treacle will be good, and some . . ." Mikey talked to himself as he looked along the shelves.
"Mikey, why did you go and tell your friends where we live?" Leo demanded, stopping and putting his hands on his sides. "You know Master Splinter is at home all the time, and if he's seen by ANYONE there'll be an immediate uproar - or something, and we'll have the police and God knows who round!"
Mikey turned around. "I didn't tell anyone where I live! D'ya think I'm THAT stupid?"
"Then how does Matt know where to call for you? He wouldn't have said that if he didn't know where we live!"
"It's April O'Neil, Leo! Geeze, he's not a dumb kid, ya know! Most people know where she lives! Or finds out!"
Someone was checking out the shelves where they were now, a little way away from them. But they didn't lower their voices.
"Look, I know how you can just spill information, but be careful! You don't know who could be listening!" Leo threw his hands up.
"I didn't spill any info!" Mikey was quite outraged that Leo thought he would do something like that. "Matt's just a smart guy, he probably looked up April's ad somewhere!"
The person in their row was now recognisable as a teenager. His face wasn't a welcome one. It was Jo Tooks, who was also looking for some treacle, but was waiting for the two bros to pass. They still hadn't seen him.
"Look, Michelangelo -!" Leo usually says full names when he gets angry, or upset "- Just don't say to anyone else that they're welcome around, we're not even meant to be making friends! We're meant to be keeping a low profile in school, and that hasn't worked - Raph's already got attached to Prida, and that's bad. The more people like you, the harder it is to say goodbye when we change ba-" He stopped, spotting Tooks leaning with his arms folded on the food shelf behind him, watching them.
"Whadda you want?" Mikey asked, an icy bite in his tone, also showing some nervousness. How much had Tooks heard?
"I want you two to move so I can get some treacle," Tooks said coolly, "and I didn't want to butt in on you nice little argument."
Leo, aware his hands were still raised slightly, quickly dropped them and pushed Mikey out of the way of the treacle.
"Enjoy," Leo said coldly, and he and Mikey walked off.
Tooks narrowed his eyes at them as they walked out of view. He picked up his tin, and was replaying their argument in his head . . . Some things were fitting strangely.
Leo and Mikey didn't say another word until they were at the checkout counter with all the stuff Mikey had hurriedly picked up. They were in line behind a woman and her kid, and the till lady was having a problem with the till.
"Look," Leo sighed, speaking first out of the two. "I'm sorry I shouted back there, but I'm just worrying for Master Splinter's safety. I mean, he's alone all the time while we're at school, and April's at work."
"Hey, I think I can forgive ya," Mikey allowed himself a sweet smile, one that Leo knew was catchy, and was smiling too. "And I worry for Splin'er, too. And you know I wouldn't tell anyone where we live . . . When I see Matt next, I can give him a reason not to come round."
They fell silent and watched as the till finally started to work again. They were soon served, and had their things in a bag, then they made their way out and to Casey's bike. Leo held the bag while Mikey rode. They started to walk/ride back to April's now.
"Hey, you don't think Tooks . . . heard too much, d'ya?" Mikey asked, concerned.
Leo shook his head. "I hope not."
They walked the rest of the way to April's in silence. Leo was thinking about any problems they would face when they DID find a way to change back, and how it would be hard for his brothers to say goodbye to their friends. They would have to say they were moving back to LA. But what would the friends say then? Prida was a strong girl, she wouldn't let good friends like Raph just slip away, she might even ask if they could write to each other, and ask when their next visit to April's is. Leo cursed his brother for it. It wasn't like him anyway. Before this happened, Leo would have said the chances of Raph making friends with ANYONE, let alone a girl, were very small. But she didn't find his anger and moodiness any problem to her. And then there was Mikey, who had made friends with half his art class. Matt seemed like a determined guy, who wants to make better friends. TJ was a lonely kid, who was (Leo noticed) helped, somewhat, from being so scared and shy by Mikey. If Mikey had to go, it would seem like TJ would be abandoned. Leo felt sorry for the guy. Then there was Donnie. He hadn't made close friends with anyone yet, but had made a start. Already people in his classes were noticing the brainy dude in purple, and had been talking with him for brief conversations. Leo found himself to be the only one who hadn't made any friend. Yes, he had spoken to a few people, but he hadn't seen them again, or talked with them for a second time. He hoped he wouldn't. It was his brothers' fault if, when they leave for good, they find they can't say goodbye. Leo knew how hard that would be on his brother; to have finally fit in, and then to be ripped away from the dream, back into the protected sewer walls down below, in all the filth. He had some scary thoughts that, maybe, Raph might refuse altogether. He was, after all, the one who mostly complained about their living conditions, and how they lived. He was the one, at heart, who got upset about his separation from the human world. Leo knew, he could sense it in his brother. He had seen some faces Raph couldn't hide, slip out of control and let Leo glimpse some true feelings. It was rare to see those things. And sometimes, it wasn't just Raph. Donnie showed his emotions by locking himself in his lab and pretending to work on something, while really he spied on the human world using one of his handy, small cameras. Leo knew, he had seen one time when Donnie forgot lock the door. Mikey, bless the guy, could never properly hide his feelings and emotions like Raph could. When the topic of humans and their world rose in the sewers (or used to), and things got too tense and emotional, Mikey would be the one shedding the tear. He could hide his tears, yes, but it still showed on his face; the pain and desire to be part of the world they live under. But that was a while ago for Mikey. He had trained himself to keep his tears to back. Leo knew he studied how Raph kept his hidden, and when they were little, he could remember sneaking up on his two brothers, and heard Mikey actually ask how Raph kept it all hidden. Leo wasn't a sneak, he just liked to keep check on his brothers, and put his ninja stealth to use in doing so.
Now, Leo returned to reality from his thoughts, and found himself on the corner, just opposite April's apartment.
"Man, am I starving," Mikey muttered to himself at the side of Leo, who could hear Mikey's stomach rumble.
"Yeah, let's get that grub on plates!" Leo grinned. He helped Mikey lock the bike back up, and helped him limp all the way up the stairs to April's apartment.
Inside, they found April on the couch with Raph, Splinter in his armchair, and Donnie sat on the arm of the couch next to April, who seemed to be showing him some funny finger tricks. They all looked up when Leo and Mikey walked in.
"Hey guys, got much food?" Donnie asked, turning back to his hands, which were stuck, his fingers bent painfully.
"Yeah, I'm hungry, so let's get some breakies!" Mikey limped into the kitchen, but stopped when Splinter spoke.
"Michelangelo, you must take some weight off that leg and rest, let one of your brothers fix breakfast." The Sensei said.
"Aw, but Master Splinter!" Mikey whined, showing his puppy- dog eyes that made April chuckle. "I went out and brought it so I could make something! And besides, Leo can't cook to save all four of our lives!"
Donnie, Raph and Mikey laughed, while Leo grinned, but playfully elbowed Mikey.
"It IS a little late for breakfast," Donnie said, making them all turn to him. "Shouldn't we call it dinner?"
Mikey called, "it's food! Put it that way!"
The food was soon flying in the frying pan, with Mikey at the handle. The syrup and other sweet ingredients went in as well, though Mikey had no idea what he was making. All he knew was that his stomach was growling so much he could have eaten it all right there and then, pan and all! He dished it out on six plates, took his paper chef's hat off, and walked through with April and Splinter's plates first.
"Hey, looks great, Mikey!" April said, making him beam as he handed Splinter his.
The four brothers were soon tucking in too, and despite its odd look, the food tasted great.
After the superb breakfast - dinner, Mikey was finally bullied by Leo, and ordered by Splinter, to rest his foot. Having eaten and sitting down to watch a movie April rented, it felt too comfy to be true. He was sat with his head against Raph, and his feet in April's lap, grinning broadly. Splinter retreated to the quietness of his room to meditate while the movie was on ("had enough of them in the sewers as well"). So Donnie took up his chair, after a quick argument over it with Leo, and Leo sat on the floor, leaning against the couch. It felt, and looked to Leo, like a real, proper, human family. But of course with Splinter not joining the little group, it looked only half proper.
The movie was a long two and a half hours, but was good nonetheless, especially with the curtains closed, which Mikey had suggested they do. The rain, pattering on the windows, turned to a loud slapping on the glass, but it didn't quite reach over the noise of the TV.
Leo only just remembered, when the movie finished, that he forgot to ask Donnie and Raph if they had seen anything on their way to Prida's.
Donnie came out with a negative answer, as well as Raph's.
The talk turned to tonight when they would go out patrolling. Mikey whined about not being able to go with them.
"You're staying home, like a good boy," Raph said with such false sweetness, Leo and Donnie smiled. Raph patted Mikey on the head, and grinned wickedly.
Then the conversations turned about tomorrow.
"What time will you be going to the hospital?" Leo asked, glancing at Raph's face for the flicker of nervousness he always noticed there when the word 'hospital' was said.
"Sometime around dinner, isn't it?" April asked, looking at Donnie.
"Yeah, about twelve." Donnie confirmed.
"Scared?" Mikey asked Raph, looking up at his brother from near his knees, grinning. He knew Raph hated hospitals as much as he did.
"No," Raph snorted, his face didn't show anything. But Leo could tell now, after so much time studying that face, that it was in fact a cover up for the true face that probably showed a good strong nervousness underneath. Raph noticed him staring and glared back.
The rest of their Saturday was a pleasant time just doing nothing, or watching the movies April rushed out to rent, each one being about two hours, so when they finally finished their fifth movie, it was dark outside, and Splinter emerged to eat, and have another good cuppa. He had to remind his sons that, even though it was Saturday, they still had patrolling to do, which they had totally forgotten about.
"Aw, man, how could we have forgotten about that?! Mikey said, jumping up with his injured foot barely touching the floor. "Let's get going guys!"
But the stood staring at him, and he flopped back down on the couch, disappointed.
"S'no fun when you're injured," he muttered, as his brother put on their trainers, and Raph grabbed a baseball cap he had just noticed on the coat rack. He turned to April.
"Lemme guess, Casey comes over here wearing just this and still leaves it behind, eh?" He grinned, and she took it off his head and whacked him with it, then slapped it back over his tousled hair.
Mikey waved to his bros as they walked out the door, leaving him with April and Splinter to watch the news. A news reporter was on, and was giving a report about the criminals who still were on the loose:
"The sewer hasn't been touched for a while, but police are still on the lookout. The attack on officer Tooks happened a few days ago, but no other activity down there has happened since. Police, especially Tooks, are asking for anyone who might have seen four suspicious boys to report in to the station. The weapons have been removed, and more pictures and belongings to these criminals have been found. Some bearing the same name Michelangelo, which, on some others, has been shortened to Mikey. Police believe it to be the work of kids . . ."
Mikey sank into the couch as April and Splinter looked at him.
"Great, we'll stand out like pizza in a salad bowl."
Thanks for reviews everyone! SFAM and Sunday is to come . . . Hope you enjoyed! Because I stayed up all night doing this, hey, it takes a while when you have to think about the details, I have this all planned out, and it's hard! (starts whining now) but thanks n e way!
Saturday morning was a rainy, but sunny day, and no one in April O'Neil's apartment was up to take notice. They were still in bed, not even thinking about getting up. Not even awake for some of them.
But the first door to open this morning was the guest room door, and out of it Master Splinter emerged, well slept and feeling refreshed. He closed his door softly, and looked at the room.
The sunlight was shining brightly past the curtains, making the couch and kitchen counter glow, and the rain beat steadily on the windows. It wasn't as bad as yesterday, but it was still rainy.
Splinter sighed contently and walked over to the kitchen, past his sleeping sons Leo and Donnie, where he started to make his cup of morning tea. He was just stirring his tea when the problems of his sons filled his head. As Master, he would do his best to help them get back to their original form; and they would also put in their help. But would they want to? If they found a way to change back, would they want to? Being human gave them freedom to do what they had dreamed of since they were very little. Splinter knew it was shocking and even distressing at first when they realised what they were, but his sons had gotten used to this new life, and would they find it better than before? Somewhere in Splinter's head said of course they would, but he refused to think of what they would say if they found a cure for their condition. Would they turn it down with a shake of their head; hand it back - throw it back? It made the rat sigh with sadness just to think about how they would throw their original life away.
Splinter stopped stirring his tea and let the soothing steam float up onto his face. He breathed in the aroma, and his ears pricked. He smiled, eyes closed while enjoying the sweet smelling tea.
"Ah, good morning Michelangelo," Splinter said. He turned around to face his son.
Mikey froze, and then smiled. He had been trying to sneak up on his Master, but of course the old Sensei had sensed him. He limped over to the counter next to Splinter.
"Morning Master," he said brightly. His injury had no effect on his happy personality.
Splinter's smile widened slightly. "You should be resting, my son. Taking some pressure off of your injury."
"Ah, you know I can't be cooped up too long, and my stomach was calling for some food!"
Mikey limped over to the fridge, and pulled it open. He took a long few seconds to take a look at what food was in there, and then he made a thoughtful noise and closed the fridge.
"Mostly health food, how can April live on that?" Mikey made a face. "We need some ingredients for a serious breakfast dude!" He turned to his Master. "Can I go into town and get some?"
Splinter shook his head. His son seemed to be forgetting he had an injured foot, and the pain was obviously pushed into the back of his brain, with the thought of food to the front.
"With that foot? No, Michelangelo." Splinter gave his answer firmly.
Mikey stuck out his lip. "Aw please, my foot don't hurt THAT bad, really. We turtles heal quickly and cleanly!" He added with pride, beaming.
"Except that you are no longer in turtle form, but human form, and there fore heal like a human," Splinter said softly.
Mikey's face fell as well as his shoulders.
"Hey Mikey, morning Splinter," a sleepy voice behind them spoke.
Mikey turned around to see April in her white dressing gown. She was wrapping the cords around her slim body and tying them.
"Oh, hi Ape," Mikey said, a little less enthusiastically than normal.
"Good morning April," Splinter smiled. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"I'd love one, thanks," April smiled back. She walked over and helped Splinter make it.
"April, how come you don't have any breakfast food in here?" Mikey said, looking in the fridge again.
"I do, it's in there," she pointed to a cupboard in the corner.
"Nah, not the cereals, I mean grub WE call breakfast." Mikey slammed the fridge shut again and looked at her.
"Oh, junk food and pizza," April said without even having to think.
"Yeah!"
"Because you guys eat it all."
"Oh."
April poured the boiled water into the teapot, while Splinter poured out the milk. He had brought out five cups for his sons and April.
Leo, yawning and stretching, straightened up from the floor and rubbed sleet from his eyes.
"Hiya Leo," April said, pouring the tea water into three of the mugs. She took one to Leo, who was now stretching his leg muscles in a half sitting position.
"Thanks April," he said, and took his mug by the handle. Donnie was now waking.
After she had supplied Donnie with his tea, and pointed Mikey to his, April asked the guys what they would do today.
"I wanna get some ingredients for some breakfast!" Mikey whined.
Leo raised his eyebrows. "Mikey you can hardly walk."
"Yeah I can!" And to prove it, he took a couple of gingerly steps. "Please, I really don't wanna be stuck in here all day! Hey - what if we go back and grab out skateboard, then I could use that - or blades - or a bike! I won't stop asking until you say yeah."
Leo sighed while Donnie grinned.
"You could go with him while I go with Raph and take that coat back to Prida," Donnie said. "We could check anywhere for unusual activity in the meantime - not that there'll be any in the day."
"How do you know that coat was Prida's?" Leo asked, frowning.
Donnie smiled knowingly. "I'm a genius, I know these things . . . besides, it was pretty obvious, I mean, it had May Valantine's name in it, and we know Prida has a sister."
Leo groaned and shook his head. He didn't even have to ask why Donnie went looking through a coat that wasn't his. He looked to his Master.
"I think it is good for you all to get some fresh air," Splinter said. "But Michelangelo is to stay out only to get the ingredients he wants, and will journey to town on bike."
"Coolies!" Mikey said, grinning. He finished his tea and dumped the mug in the bowl. "So when we going? I'm hungry!"
()()()()
After taking Casey's bike from the parking lot, which was always left there, Mikey was ready to split. He had got ready, and tied his bandanna around his forehead (trying it around his eyes first, but it looked odd now), and had got his brothers' bandanna for them so they could leave quicker. But he had to wait for his lazy brother, Raph, to get up first. He, Leo, Donnie and Mikey would be walking so far together, then Raph and Donnie would take a different route (if they had to) to Prida's to take the coat back, as Donnie had to follow Raph, who knew the way. April insisted on giving them some more money, and Leo, who refused, said they already had some they had saved from before when she sent them into town. But Mikey didn't refuse the sweet smell of more money, and thanked her for it, with Leo scowling behind him. They all said bye to Splinter, waved to April, and set off up the street. It was still raining, but only lightly.
"Mikey, if your foot gets too painful, we can head back," Leo said to his brother, who was riding slowly on the bike next to all of them.
"Are you kidding, bro?" Mikey shook his head. "I'll be fine, stop worrying, worry for Raph or someone."
"Hey," Raph growled, Prida's sister's coat slung over his shoulder.
Donnie tilted his head at his brother in red. "Yeah, Mike's right, you're still limping and you shouldn't be."
"Look, I'm fine, now stop gawking!" Raph snapped.
"You're in hospital tomorrow, aren't you both?" Leo asked, dodging a lamppost he was about to walk into.
"What?" Raph frowned.
"Oh yeah," Donnie nodded. "Gotta have these stitches out, and yours." Donnie pointed to Raph's leg after pointing at his arm.
"Oh great," Raph rolled his eyes, half moaning.
They all silenced for a while as they walked. A few people stared at the identical teenagers, who didn't have their own colours on because April had insisted they had to be washed. So now Mikey and Raph were wearing blue-grey, baggy T-shirts, and Leo and Donnie were wearing navy. They kept asking April why so many of Casey's shirts were at her place, but she kept using the same excuse: That he gets in fights and ends up at her places, 'accidentally' forgetting to take his shirts with him the next day.
The people on the streets, especially kids from their school they had seen, stared even more. They couldn't tell who was who now without the coloured T-shirts, but they couldn't tell before. Though, they did have their bandannas on.
As the rounded the corner that lead to the beginning of the first lot of shops, Donnie looked to Raph and asked, "where d'we go from here then?"
"Up there," Raph pointed across the street to another running away from the shops. His red bandanna was a little darker red now the rain had seen to it.
"Okay, see ya later back home," Leo called, as Donnie and Raph started walking straight away. They had disappeared round the corner within a few seconds. Leo turned to Mikey on Casey's bike.
"To the food store!" Mikey said, pointing, and set off on the bike fast, then wheeling around and joining Leo again.
"What exactly do you want?" Leo asked. By now the rain had managed to make it look like someone had sprayed him with a water gun, and the whether didn't seem to want to stop there.
"Anything good enough for the mornings . . . everything to be exact!"
Leo rolled his eyes, and they set off for the nearest food store. Mikey parked his bike outside, and limped inside with Leo, both dripping from the rain.
They had just walked into a large superstore, and at once someone called Mikey's name.
"Mikey! Hey, Mikey!"
Matt Hill came running over, a can of spaghetti in his hand.
"Hey Matt," Mikey greeted.
"How's the foot doing?" Matt asked, now catching his breath. "Man, I would be freaked if my toe fell off and had to be stitched back on."
Mikey frowned. "What? My toe didn't fall off."
"But that's what your brother said!" Matt exclaimed.
Mikey looked at Leo, who put on a face that said 'you can guess who'.
"The one in the red shirt," Matt described.
"That's Raph, don't listen to that idiot," Leo said, slightly annoyed.
"No, just my foot, got sliced, but I'm mending." Mikey said.
"Oh good, you'll be in school on Monday, right? And . . . you didn't get knocked out either, did you?"
"Yeah, I'll probably be in school, and, er, no I didn't get knocked out."
Matt nodded. "Another Ralph joke."
"Raph -"
"Raph joke."
Both Leo and Mikey corrected him, then smiled.
Matt apologised, and then had to dash because his mother was at the checkout counter and was shouting at him to get over there with the can of spaghetti. Matt said he might call in on Mikey at his home one day if he could, then ran back to the counter. They said bye and started to walk along the food shelves, Mikey bobbing up and down because of his limp.
"Okay, I think a nice, big tin of treacle will be good, and some . . ." Mikey talked to himself as he looked along the shelves.
"Mikey, why did you go and tell your friends where we live?" Leo demanded, stopping and putting his hands on his sides. "You know Master Splinter is at home all the time, and if he's seen by ANYONE there'll be an immediate uproar - or something, and we'll have the police and God knows who round!"
Mikey turned around. "I didn't tell anyone where I live! D'ya think I'm THAT stupid?"
"Then how does Matt know where to call for you? He wouldn't have said that if he didn't know where we live!"
"It's April O'Neil, Leo! Geeze, he's not a dumb kid, ya know! Most people know where she lives! Or finds out!"
Someone was checking out the shelves where they were now, a little way away from them. But they didn't lower their voices.
"Look, I know how you can just spill information, but be careful! You don't know who could be listening!" Leo threw his hands up.
"I didn't spill any info!" Mikey was quite outraged that Leo thought he would do something like that. "Matt's just a smart guy, he probably looked up April's ad somewhere!"
The person in their row was now recognisable as a teenager. His face wasn't a welcome one. It was Jo Tooks, who was also looking for some treacle, but was waiting for the two bros to pass. They still hadn't seen him.
"Look, Michelangelo -!" Leo usually says full names when he gets angry, or upset "- Just don't say to anyone else that they're welcome around, we're not even meant to be making friends! We're meant to be keeping a low profile in school, and that hasn't worked - Raph's already got attached to Prida, and that's bad. The more people like you, the harder it is to say goodbye when we change ba-" He stopped, spotting Tooks leaning with his arms folded on the food shelf behind him, watching them.
"Whadda you want?" Mikey asked, an icy bite in his tone, also showing some nervousness. How much had Tooks heard?
"I want you two to move so I can get some treacle," Tooks said coolly, "and I didn't want to butt in on you nice little argument."
Leo, aware his hands were still raised slightly, quickly dropped them and pushed Mikey out of the way of the treacle.
"Enjoy," Leo said coldly, and he and Mikey walked off.
Tooks narrowed his eyes at them as they walked out of view. He picked up his tin, and was replaying their argument in his head . . . Some things were fitting strangely.
Leo and Mikey didn't say another word until they were at the checkout counter with all the stuff Mikey had hurriedly picked up. They were in line behind a woman and her kid, and the till lady was having a problem with the till.
"Look," Leo sighed, speaking first out of the two. "I'm sorry I shouted back there, but I'm just worrying for Master Splinter's safety. I mean, he's alone all the time while we're at school, and April's at work."
"Hey, I think I can forgive ya," Mikey allowed himself a sweet smile, one that Leo knew was catchy, and was smiling too. "And I worry for Splin'er, too. And you know I wouldn't tell anyone where we live . . . When I see Matt next, I can give him a reason not to come round."
They fell silent and watched as the till finally started to work again. They were soon served, and had their things in a bag, then they made their way out and to Casey's bike. Leo held the bag while Mikey rode. They started to walk/ride back to April's now.
"Hey, you don't think Tooks . . . heard too much, d'ya?" Mikey asked, concerned.
Leo shook his head. "I hope not."
They walked the rest of the way to April's in silence. Leo was thinking about any problems they would face when they DID find a way to change back, and how it would be hard for his brothers to say goodbye to their friends. They would have to say they were moving back to LA. But what would the friends say then? Prida was a strong girl, she wouldn't let good friends like Raph just slip away, she might even ask if they could write to each other, and ask when their next visit to April's is. Leo cursed his brother for it. It wasn't like him anyway. Before this happened, Leo would have said the chances of Raph making friends with ANYONE, let alone a girl, were very small. But she didn't find his anger and moodiness any problem to her. And then there was Mikey, who had made friends with half his art class. Matt seemed like a determined guy, who wants to make better friends. TJ was a lonely kid, who was (Leo noticed) helped, somewhat, from being so scared and shy by Mikey. If Mikey had to go, it would seem like TJ would be abandoned. Leo felt sorry for the guy. Then there was Donnie. He hadn't made close friends with anyone yet, but had made a start. Already people in his classes were noticing the brainy dude in purple, and had been talking with him for brief conversations. Leo found himself to be the only one who hadn't made any friend. Yes, he had spoken to a few people, but he hadn't seen them again, or talked with them for a second time. He hoped he wouldn't. It was his brothers' fault if, when they leave for good, they find they can't say goodbye. Leo knew how hard that would be on his brother; to have finally fit in, and then to be ripped away from the dream, back into the protected sewer walls down below, in all the filth. He had some scary thoughts that, maybe, Raph might refuse altogether. He was, after all, the one who mostly complained about their living conditions, and how they lived. He was the one, at heart, who got upset about his separation from the human world. Leo knew, he could sense it in his brother. He had seen some faces Raph couldn't hide, slip out of control and let Leo glimpse some true feelings. It was rare to see those things. And sometimes, it wasn't just Raph. Donnie showed his emotions by locking himself in his lab and pretending to work on something, while really he spied on the human world using one of his handy, small cameras. Leo knew, he had seen one time when Donnie forgot lock the door. Mikey, bless the guy, could never properly hide his feelings and emotions like Raph could. When the topic of humans and their world rose in the sewers (or used to), and things got too tense and emotional, Mikey would be the one shedding the tear. He could hide his tears, yes, but it still showed on his face; the pain and desire to be part of the world they live under. But that was a while ago for Mikey. He had trained himself to keep his tears to back. Leo knew he studied how Raph kept his hidden, and when they were little, he could remember sneaking up on his two brothers, and heard Mikey actually ask how Raph kept it all hidden. Leo wasn't a sneak, he just liked to keep check on his brothers, and put his ninja stealth to use in doing so.
Now, Leo returned to reality from his thoughts, and found himself on the corner, just opposite April's apartment.
"Man, am I starving," Mikey muttered to himself at the side of Leo, who could hear Mikey's stomach rumble.
"Yeah, let's get that grub on plates!" Leo grinned. He helped Mikey lock the bike back up, and helped him limp all the way up the stairs to April's apartment.
Inside, they found April on the couch with Raph, Splinter in his armchair, and Donnie sat on the arm of the couch next to April, who seemed to be showing him some funny finger tricks. They all looked up when Leo and Mikey walked in.
"Hey guys, got much food?" Donnie asked, turning back to his hands, which were stuck, his fingers bent painfully.
"Yeah, I'm hungry, so let's get some breakies!" Mikey limped into the kitchen, but stopped when Splinter spoke.
"Michelangelo, you must take some weight off that leg and rest, let one of your brothers fix breakfast." The Sensei said.
"Aw, but Master Splinter!" Mikey whined, showing his puppy- dog eyes that made April chuckle. "I went out and brought it so I could make something! And besides, Leo can't cook to save all four of our lives!"
Donnie, Raph and Mikey laughed, while Leo grinned, but playfully elbowed Mikey.
"It IS a little late for breakfast," Donnie said, making them all turn to him. "Shouldn't we call it dinner?"
Mikey called, "it's food! Put it that way!"
The food was soon flying in the frying pan, with Mikey at the handle. The syrup and other sweet ingredients went in as well, though Mikey had no idea what he was making. All he knew was that his stomach was growling so much he could have eaten it all right there and then, pan and all! He dished it out on six plates, took his paper chef's hat off, and walked through with April and Splinter's plates first.
"Hey, looks great, Mikey!" April said, making him beam as he handed Splinter his.
The four brothers were soon tucking in too, and despite its odd look, the food tasted great.
After the superb breakfast - dinner, Mikey was finally bullied by Leo, and ordered by Splinter, to rest his foot. Having eaten and sitting down to watch a movie April rented, it felt too comfy to be true. He was sat with his head against Raph, and his feet in April's lap, grinning broadly. Splinter retreated to the quietness of his room to meditate while the movie was on ("had enough of them in the sewers as well"). So Donnie took up his chair, after a quick argument over it with Leo, and Leo sat on the floor, leaning against the couch. It felt, and looked to Leo, like a real, proper, human family. But of course with Splinter not joining the little group, it looked only half proper.
The movie was a long two and a half hours, but was good nonetheless, especially with the curtains closed, which Mikey had suggested they do. The rain, pattering on the windows, turned to a loud slapping on the glass, but it didn't quite reach over the noise of the TV.
Leo only just remembered, when the movie finished, that he forgot to ask Donnie and Raph if they had seen anything on their way to Prida's.
Donnie came out with a negative answer, as well as Raph's.
The talk turned to tonight when they would go out patrolling. Mikey whined about not being able to go with them.
"You're staying home, like a good boy," Raph said with such false sweetness, Leo and Donnie smiled. Raph patted Mikey on the head, and grinned wickedly.
Then the conversations turned about tomorrow.
"What time will you be going to the hospital?" Leo asked, glancing at Raph's face for the flicker of nervousness he always noticed there when the word 'hospital' was said.
"Sometime around dinner, isn't it?" April asked, looking at Donnie.
"Yeah, about twelve." Donnie confirmed.
"Scared?" Mikey asked Raph, looking up at his brother from near his knees, grinning. He knew Raph hated hospitals as much as he did.
"No," Raph snorted, his face didn't show anything. But Leo could tell now, after so much time studying that face, that it was in fact a cover up for the true face that probably showed a good strong nervousness underneath. Raph noticed him staring and glared back.
The rest of their Saturday was a pleasant time just doing nothing, or watching the movies April rushed out to rent, each one being about two hours, so when they finally finished their fifth movie, it was dark outside, and Splinter emerged to eat, and have another good cuppa. He had to remind his sons that, even though it was Saturday, they still had patrolling to do, which they had totally forgotten about.
"Aw, man, how could we have forgotten about that?! Mikey said, jumping up with his injured foot barely touching the floor. "Let's get going guys!"
But the stood staring at him, and he flopped back down on the couch, disappointed.
"S'no fun when you're injured," he muttered, as his brother put on their trainers, and Raph grabbed a baseball cap he had just noticed on the coat rack. He turned to April.
"Lemme guess, Casey comes over here wearing just this and still leaves it behind, eh?" He grinned, and she took it off his head and whacked him with it, then slapped it back over his tousled hair.
Mikey waved to his bros as they walked out the door, leaving him with April and Splinter to watch the news. A news reporter was on, and was giving a report about the criminals who still were on the loose:
"The sewer hasn't been touched for a while, but police are still on the lookout. The attack on officer Tooks happened a few days ago, but no other activity down there has happened since. Police, especially Tooks, are asking for anyone who might have seen four suspicious boys to report in to the station. The weapons have been removed, and more pictures and belongings to these criminals have been found. Some bearing the same name Michelangelo, which, on some others, has been shortened to Mikey. Police believe it to be the work of kids . . ."
Mikey sank into the couch as April and Splinter looked at him.
"Great, we'll stand out like pizza in a salad bowl."
Thanks for reviews everyone! SFAM and Sunday is to come . . . Hope you enjoyed! Because I stayed up all night doing this, hey, it takes a while when you have to think about the details, I have this all planned out, and it's hard! (starts whining now) but thanks n e way!