Disclaimer: DON'T OWN THE TMNT.
The Rings: Chapter three
I sat there and watched her sleep, the chain holding my ring wrapped around my fingers. One could only imagine what she must have gone through. A child at only 8 yrs of age having gone through such a significant change in life. How could she deal with it? For us we were already animals and young ones at that. We had always known this form. We never knew anything different. But for her, it was all so new. So many things must be going through her mind right now. Questions my brothers and I don't have answers to. I have no idea how to raise a child. Splinter would, but he's not here anymore to help us with such situations. It was all up to us. I grasped the ring again and squeezed tightly. She was out there somewhere waiting for me. I remember the words so clearly. Master Splinter said I'd find her in the most unlikely place and the moment that my eyes met with hers in full understanding and peace, then I would know she was the one. But for now those thoughts were pushed to the back of my mind. I had more important things to deal with. Taking care of a child. And not just any child, one that was once human and is now a mutant. Her parents must be beside themselves. The pain they must be feeling is unimaginable. If I were her father I wouldn't know how to carry on in life knowing my daughter was lost somewhere in this ugly world.
"Still sleeping?"
I looked up to see Donatello standing behind the couch, looking down at the girl.
"Yea…"
He shook his head and then looked up at me.
"Mikey's fixing dinner. You hungry at all?"
"No, I'm fine, but I'm sure she is."
"Alright, I'll tell Mikey to set aside a plate for you for later."
"Thanks Don."
"Not a problem."
I stood up slowly, releasing the ring, letting it thump against my chest lightly.
"I'm going to meditate."
He nodded then disappeared into the kitchen where there was the smell of food cooking.
The meditation helped me somewhat. But it didn't give me answers to anything. It just seemed to calm me down and clear my mind. But not of everything, I still wonder what Splinter had told my brothers when he gave them their rings. I try to picture this girl that is supposed to change my life, but whenever I do, its just a body with a blank face. And to add on to that is the child we now have to take care of. I sighed, blew out the candle and got up from the mat in the dojo. Mikey had set aside a plate for me to heat up in the microwave. I placed it in there and took a seat at the table, waiting for it to warm up. Everyone was in their room, it was later than I thought. But I didn't feel tired, meaning another late night with staying up and reading a book. The beep of the microwave startled me from my thoughts. I got up, grabbed the plate and a fork and sat back down. Spaghetti, a personal favorite of mine, I'll have to remember to thank him. I was content eating and planning out a morning practice routine when the soft sound of shuffling feet caught my attention. Setting my fork down, I glanced up and was surprised to find the young girl standing on the other side of the table watching me. She was completely still, except for when her ears twitched. We stared at each other for a moment before I spoke softly.
"You can sit if you want. I don't mind."
Her whiskers twitched along with her nose, then she pulled the chair out and climbed up on it, folding her paw-like hands in front of her on the table top. She had a soft honey red coat and white around her hands, nose, ears, and eyes. Deep maple brown eyes watched me with curiosity and wonder.
"Foxes are my favorite animals."
"They are?"
"Yea, they asked me what my favorite animal was, and I said foxes. They asked me if I would like to be a fox and I said yes. I miss mommy and daddy."
I frowned hearing her say that. Her soft voice was heart breaking as well. How do you tell a child that they can't see mommy and daddy anymore? I cleared my throat and again looked at her.
"Well I'm sure they miss you too…"
"Think they can see me from heaven?"
I blinked and stared at her for a moment.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because that's what the nice man in the white coat told me they went to."
I clenched my hands into tight fists and swallowed back my anger. Those heartless fools!
"Mr. Turtle?"
I opened my eyes reluctantly and looked at her.
"You can call me Leo if you want."
She slid off her chair and walked over to me.
"My name is Brodie."
She smiled at me, her ears perked happily. I reached out and patted her head.
"You need to get to bed kiddo."
"Can you tuck me in and give me a goodnight kiss Leo?"
"Sure, c'mon."
I walked her into my room and helped her into my bed, tucked her in and kissed her forehead gently.
"Night, sleep well."
"Night…"
Her eyes drifted shut and her breathing slowed as she fell into a blissful sleep. Now I know how Splinter felt when he made the decision to raise my brothers and I. Although she wasn't my child, and I only knew her for a short amount of time, I already felt completely responsible for her and cared for her. She was safe now. She was with my brothers and I. But I knew this wouldn't be the end of it. It was only just the beginning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you all enjoy! Its starting to really heat up. Next chap will be by my good friend Jezzie-Star! PEACE!