Chapter 2: It never ends
A/N: Yes, another chapter up and ready. Finally. Again, sorry for the delay. Just been really busy w/ the holidays and junk. I'm already starting on the next chapter and that should be out soon. Promise. Until then, thanks for the reviews and please enjoy. :p
An eerie silence had spread over the Lair and had remained that way for the passed hour. Normally at this time, the rooms would be filled with the excited chatter and laughter of the children. But now, there was a stillness that kept a firm grip over most things, with the exception of one.
In Splinter's study, the three boys that had been apprehended earlier were enduring one of the longest lectures that they had ever known. It had been going on for nearly an hour now and showed no signs of letting up. Much to the dismay of the youngsters, whose on feelings on the matter were in enough turmoil as it was.
Leo and Raph, the real culprits behind this accident, were the ones that felt the worst. The last thing that they ever wanted to do was to make their Master upset, especially over something as important to him as a memento of Hamato Yoshi. Though the boys had never met the man themselves, they had heard enough about him from Splinter to know that he had been very important in their Sensei's life and understand what Yoshi had meant to them when it came to their studies.
It was in his memory that Splinter had first begun to train the boys some years before. The rat's initial hopes were that one day, once they were old enough and had gained sufficient skill in their ninjitsu training, these four might be able to avenge Yoshi's death by finding and defeating Oroku Saki. If and when that happened was uncertain, but it was the driving force behind why he started teaching them and spoke of Yoshi so often to the boys and their sister.
His sons knew only the general idea of this scheme, since Splinter felt that young children should only be exposed to certain things when they were ready. At this point in their lives, though they at least had the same basic concept that most children had, he most certainly felt that they weren't ready to know what killing for revenge was. Even if that type of action was meant to avenge the wrongs done against another, in his eyes, they still needed a few years before having a complete understanding of such things.
For now, they were at least ready to accept responsibility for what they had done. That much Splinter would not keep them from. If anything, though he suspected that felt remorse over the loss of the memento, he still wanted them to understand the full consequences of one's actions concerning others.
There was no chance of that lesson not coming across to the boys. If anything, it was coming in loud and clear to them. That still didn't change the fact that each and every one of them would rather be anywhere but in the study right now.
That was definitely the thought that was running through Mikey's mind at the moment. He felt as bad as his brothers that that statuette had been broken, though not with the same intensity. Technically, he hadn't broken anything. He had only been present when it happened and was here mainly for that reason.
Still, he was wishing more than anything that he had been with Maggie and Don when this began. If he had, then he could be back in his sister's room drawing or something rather than getting into trouble. At least, part of him was assuming that Magnolia and Donatello were working on the drawings that had been in the kitchen with them.
This was really the really the farthest thing from the truth. Since leaving the others, the pardoned brother and sister had already forgotten their earlier activities and had become preoccupied with what was happening with their siblings and Sensei. As soon as they had reached the bedroom, they had dumped their pencils and drawings onto the bed before turning their attention to other things. Right now, Magnolia sat nearest to the door, one ear planted against the paneling while the other craned as best it could in the same direction. Other than a light twitch every now and then, she was completely motionless as she continued to concentrate on her task. Sitting on the floor next to her was Donatello, watching her as he had been ever since they had arrived.
"Well?" Donatello asked impatiently," Can you hear what's happening?"
Magnolia hissed in reply, motioning for her brother to be quiet. It was hard enough for her to hear without him making so much noise and she wanted as little distraction as possible. Donatello huffed a little but fell silent again, waiting for his sister to answer on her own.
Snorting once, Magnolia turned her attention back to the task at hand. Thanks to her sensitive ears, she could catch many small sounds and words that were normally missed by others. It was a trick that she had used multiple times in both games she and her brothers played and the training that Splinter gave them all. With this, she could guess which way someone was about to move and when to expect them and it was a skill that had served her well through the years.
This time however, that would not be the case. Due to the distance between Maggie's room and Splinter's study, no matter how hard she tried, the only sounds that she could hear were faint shufflings. Since she wasn't sure of the exact location of where these noises were coming from, she wasn't exactly sure what was causing them.
Still, that wasn't going to keep her from trying. If there was one thing that Magnolia liked, it was a challenge. And this one in particular, trying to understand what was happening to their siblings, was enough to keep her mind focused and her ears straining to the fullest.
Though neither one was certain how long they waited, Don and Maggie continued to listen as they had been doing. They knew that Splinter would eventually call them back in once he was done with the others and he felt that their presence would be appropriate. Still, the suspense of waiting was similar to the tension that their brothers felt in the study and both began to feel edgy.
Finally, the familiar old voice rang through the hallway," Donatello, Magnolia. Come join us please."
From the way the sound echoed, Maggie knew instantly that the call was coming from the dojo. This was the area where they had training and sparring sessions during the day and sometimes at night. It was decorated with old Japanese wall hangings that Splinter had either found buried in the trash or brought from Yoshi's old apartment.
Though he didn't have her acute sense of hearing, Donatello came to the same conclusion almost as quickly as his sister did. When she looked over her shoulder to tell him, he merely nodded and signaled that he knew where they needed to come.
Both of them assumed that Splinter was calling for what would probably be a late afternoon practice. Though after what had been going on today, neither Don nor Maggie was truly certain of what they should expect. So when they left the bedroom and headed out, the two silently agreed that it would be best for them to stay on their toes.
When they did arrive at the dojo, brother and sister entered into a rigid atmosphere of frustration and disappointment. Their brothers were seated in a line on separate mats near one another under the hangings of the right dojo wall. They were arranged in a way that there was one empty space between Raphael and Michaelangelo and then one after the latter. These spaces were reserved for the two who entered now; this was their place when it was time for the daily meditation sessions that were held toward the end of the day.
At the moment however, the type of meditation that was normally done was the farthest thing from the boys' minds. For them, the only thoughts that were occurring in their minds were the words Splinter had spoken to them and the punishment that they would suffer later. They were so intent on their thoughts that none of them even noticed when their two remaining siblings had entered the room.
Splinter on the other hand, knew the moment that they had come. He had been standing near the others when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw that Donnie and Maggie were standing just inside the doorway, both waiting nervously for what their Sensei had to say.
"Both of you take a seat on your mats, young ones. There will be no practice this afternoon," he instructed," Instead, I feel that we should all spend this time in meditation and reflect on what has happened today."
Knowing that now wouldn't be a good time to disobey or argue, the two reacted instantly. They took their seats, eyes looking up to their Sensei with the same uncertainty that had been there since they stood in the kitchen. Splinter spared them a brief glance but otherwise kept his gaze on the other three.
Still stinging from having endured a sterner gaze for the last hour, the three boys visibly nervous when Splinter's eyes fell upon them. None of them dared to look up, they could only sense that it was there. The gaze had actually eased a great from what it had been earlier, but each one still knew the emotions that lay behind it.
Once the children had settled down, Splinter took a seat as well. With practiced motion, he fell into the stance for meditation. It was one that he had entered countless times and one that was no trouble for him. The children each sighed inwardly and fell into a similar position of their Master, ready to remain so for at least the next hour.
Meditation was a skill that involved learning to clear one's mind and to order the thoughts of the day into an understandable pattern. It was something that meant several hours of practice and patience if it was to be successful. These were both articles that the children had started studying from a very early age. Though mediation had never been first among of the children's, including the prize student Leonard, favorite activities, it was one that was done at least once a day and that had become just as important as the practice sessions that often proceeded beforehand.
Of course, none of them were near the same skill level that Splinter had achieved. He could easily outlast any of his children and then some when they were in meditation. Which was why Splinter had taught his students to pace themselves, often doing these sessions in intervals that they could easily cope with and then increase these as time went on.
From Splinter's initial expression, it was easy for the children to assume that they would be doing the limit today. Inwardly, a collective silent groan passed through the younger generation as they resigned themselves to the task ahead. Whether they had been scolded or not, each one already knew better than to voice any complaints about the family meditation sessions. So turned inward and began the seemingly daunting task of 'reflection.'
Today, meditation would last for over an hour. For the children, even though they were supposed to understand the lesson behind this special meeting, it was still hard to prevent themselves from falling into their normal habits concerning this sort of trial. Before more than half an hour had passed, the usual cramps and itches had begun to set in, causing involuntary movement in one or more.
When Splinter finally decided to call a halt for the day, it was obvious even to him that innocent and accused alike were greatly relieved at being free to move again. Despite this, the children were still cautious in their movements around him and refrained from their usual chatter. Though he hid it well as he too rose to his feet and watched his youngsters, this pained Splinter in a way.
What he had said to his sons earlier, he was well aware of the penitence that they were feeling during that time. There was no doubt about that to him. In his heart, he had already forgiven the boys for what had happened. Splinter knew that they hadn't meant to break his treasure. It was an accident, plain and simple. There was no doubt about that. But that didn't mean that he was about to pardon them from the punishment that he had set down for them. That they would have deal with until it was completely and nothing would be changing this attitude.
Another, less subtle part of his mind soon alerted Splinter to the onset of another situation. It would soon be time for the evening meal and he still had yet to prepare. Meals always consisted of the scraps and pieces that Splinter had managed to gather through his forays to the surface world. It wasn't always the most satisfying in taste but it was at least enough to keep everyone fed and away from starvation.
Normally, the family ate just a short while after afternoon practice. In this way, the energy used during exercises was replenished and everyone would have enough for the early morning session before the next meal came. That was how things went here. There may not have always been a surplus, but at least there was always enough for everyone to have some kind of a share.
Unless he had the children helping him, Splinter usually put all the meals together himself. The stove that he had managed to find and get working again was still a dangerous piece of equipment and he wasn't about to risk anyone else getting hurt in its use. But when he did allow the children to aid him, it was usually to wash something off in their makeshift sink or to set the table.
Tonight, because of earlier events, Splinter decided that they would simply eat the leftovers from lunch and leave it at that. It would mean less work for him and everyone else and thus fewer causes of stress after an already hard afternoon.
Dinner was a quiet affair that night once it had been prepared, with no one really talking or looking at each other except through quick, furtive glances that the children gave one another. Splinter would occasionally cast a look of his own, but it was usually a neutral one that none of the others could easily decipher. These were usually gone as soon they appeared, but it was still enough to make the children feel nervous during the meal.
When they were done, everyone went about their normal chores of cleanup and dishwashing. This too was done in a fashion quite opposite of what it normally was. A nervous silence and the most anyone gave to another were a simple glance before going back to whatever had to be done.
Being older, the boys could usually enjoy a later bedtime than their sister did after all their evening chores were done. Usually after she had gone to bed, they spent the free time given to them by either playing a game or making plans for the next day. Tonight however, there would be none of that.
Though they still had some hours before their own bedtime, Leo, Raph, and Mike were sent to their room almost as soon as dinner cleanup was finished. Splinter gave no reason of course, but Don and Maggie both assumed that this was part of their brothers' punishment. If it was supposed to be the entire thing or merely part of it, neither one was sure.
Again spared from their unfortunate siblings' fate, the pair decided to go back to Maggie's room and finish the drawings that they had begun earlier. It wasn't like they really wanted to do these anymore though. If anything, they wanted to know what else had happened to the others and what Splinter had said to them.
Even so, that didn't mean that they were going to risk getting scolded by going to ask Splinter. Previous experience and sensing the present mood he was bound to be in at this point had taught them better than that. So for the time being, they were left waiting and wondering.
Do you think that they got spanked? Maggie asked her brother when he looked up from one of his drawings.
As usual, her words were not made the same way as the rest of family communicated. For her, worded speech was done with a series of hand gestures whose meaning was subtle and diverse. It was a system that had been worked out over many years with much practice and improvisation. For others, it took just as much in order to understand her words, which meant that only those closest to her would be able to know what was being said.
Donnie shrugged," I don't think so, Maggie. They wouldn't have been able to sit if that happened. Could you hand me that red pencil?"
Magnolia nodded in agreement with this, handing over the item in question. "They probably got something else," Donnie continued," Master Splinter probably grounded them or something. That's why he sent them to our room early."
Neither one really said much after that, except when Donnie asked for a certain pencil or an eraser. The plans drawn didn't really make much in the way of progress but it was still something to do until Splinter came in and said it was time for Maggie to go to bed. When he did, that would be the signal for Don to take his own things and leave for his own room.
Around 7:30, that was just the case. With his usual silent demeanor, Splinter entered the room with a single knock that alerted the children to his presence. They looked up at him with less apprehension than they had earlier but with still enough visible in their eyes to cause Splinter to stop for a moment to speak with them before sending Don out.
"I can see that you're both worried about your brothers," he said as he picked up Magnolia from the floor.
"Kinda Master," Donnie admitted, gathering up his pencils and papers.
Setting Magnolia on her bed, an old bench that had been fixed up pillows and blankets, Splinter replied gently," There's nothing to worry about, young ones. I know that you care for them, but it isn't something you should concern yourselves with. Understand?"
These words were simply meant to ease the minds of his two remaining children, at least that had been the intent. Though Maggie and Don nodded in response to Splinter's comment, it couldn't erase everything bit of worry that still hung in their minds. There was no way to accomplish that.
"Go on to your room, Donatello," Splinter urged," Your sister needs her rest. I will be in to see you and your brothers late."
"Yes sir. Good night Master," Donatello nodded," Good night, Maggie."
He caught a hand gesture and a nod from his sister before leaving the room. Naturally, Don knew that this was Maggie's way of saying good night and gave it no more thought than usual. From her room, he went to the one that he shared with his brothers.
Because it had four occupants rather than one, this bedroom was the largest of the family. Once it had been two separate chambers with only a crumbling wall to divide them. This had long since been removed by Splinter who had taken the bricks and put these to other use.
Now it held the two old bunkbeds that served as the boys' sleeping arrangement and their belongings. Compared to that of human children, the room was a bit scant in the way of things. Most of the belongings consisted of old books and toys kept in boxes the boys' kept under the lower half of their bunks.
There were also some old posters, mostly of human baseball players and alien monsters, which were plastered to the walls. These, like nearly everything else in the Lair, had been abandoned by previous owners to the garbage before being found by Splinter. When he did, these were used as gifts or rewards for the boys when something had been accomplished or on a birthday.
Donatello himself, who had the lower bunk in the below Leonardo's, had a particular favorite in the one he had gotten last Christmas. It was that of a spaceship, complete with alien passengers, landing near a town with humans coming to greet them. Secretly, he thought that someday that he and his family might be able to greet humans as they did in the picture. Though instinctively, he already knew that that sort of day was in the distant future and not likely to come soon.
He entered the shared bedroom, located just off the living down the hall from Splinter's study, a few moments afterward. By the time he did, he could see that his brothers were already in their own beds, keeping to themselves. None of them really noticed him when he entered and set his things under the bed until the next day.
This in itself was a bit unusual, since Donnie had thought at least Leo and Raph to be at each other's throats. There was no way that they could go without yelling at one another for more than five seconds, especially after both had gotten in trouble. Normally when that happened, not even a threat from Splinter could get them to calm down.
Maybe they just think that Splinter'll punish them more if he catches them arguing, Donnie thought.
Still it was a bit unsettling for him to have everything so quiet. Usually before going to bed, the boys would stay up and talk about something, regardless of what it was. When they did, it was usually over some boyish hobby that they had begun or what had gone on during the day. Again, tonight was different from what usually went on.
Tonight there really didn't seem to be any chance of that happening. Most of the boys were in sullen moods and were more withdrawn than they would normally be. And the one brother who wasn't in such a mood knew that it wouldn't be easy to get his siblings to break their silence very easily. Still, in Donatello's case, he had been wondering all this time what punishment his brothers had received that he just had to know.
"How long are you guys in for?" Donatello asked when his curiosity finally succeeded getting the better of him.
As soon as the words had left him, Raphael pounced on his brother with a response. All this time, he had been forced to control his frustration and that had been steadily building to a boiling point that was unusual even for Raph. So when the first opportunity presented itself, he acted upon it immediately.
"None of your business, ya egghead," Raphael grumbled irritably," No one ever said we were gonna tell ya, so keep your big beak out of it."
Understandably, Donnie was used to his brother's outbursts but took offense nonetheless. His reaction was nearly as swift as Raphael's had been, even though there was not as much anger behind it. For him, there was more annoyance than anything else but it was still enough.
"What are you getting mad at me for?" he demanded," I'm not the one who broke the statue, you guys did. You got a problem, then it's your own fault, Raphael. I was just asking you a question."
For once, that was certainly enough to catch even Raphael off guard. Normally, one didn't expect that sort of retaliation from Donatello. He was the quiet son who usually took the words of others and either ignored them or reasoned them out while another would continue to rant. So when he snapped back at his brother, it was nothing short of a shock and it took Raph more than a few seconds to recover.
By the time that he had sufficiently recovered to respond, Donnie had already turned his attention to one of the others for an answer. He had experienced Raph's outbursts before and had dealt with them in one of two ways: either arguing with him or by simply ignoring him. Either one worked to some extent once Raphael realized what his brother was doing and finally backed off.
This time, Donnie signaled his change in attitude by addressing Leo instead. Again, if had been under other circumstances, Raphael might have voiced some kind of protest. But again, he held himself in check, lest Splinter come in and they all get into more trouble than before.
"So what did Sensei say to you guys about the statue, Leo?" Donnie replied to his eldest brother.
Like Raphael, Leo wasn't exactly in the mood to discuss what had been said to them earlier. For him, it was an embarrassment that he would rather live through in silence than speak of. Even so, part of him was willing to communicate with his younger sibling. After all, he would be curious too if this had happened to Donatello instead of him.
"Master Splinter said that we're grounded for two weeks and that we're gonna have extra practice for that time too," Leonardo answered.
"All of you?" Donnie asked.
"No, just me and Raph," his brother replied solemnly," Sensei said that since he didn't do anything, Mikey's not gonna get punished. He just had to listen to the lecture since he was there when it happened and that was his warning for the future."
Donatello nodded silently, considering what he had just been told. He was actually a bit surprised at the outcome of this, considering how Master Splinter usually meted out punishment. Depending on the crime, their Sensei could actually be quite harsh at times with the consequences. Knowing that his brothers had only gotten a lecture and a grounding period of two weeks after breaking something so important to Splinter, Donatello could tell that they had gotten off easy.
He didn't say so of course. His brothers were more than likely already aware of their situation and didn't need to be reminded. Instead, he simply satisfied himself that now he knew what was happening and that in the morning he could tell Maggie. It wasn't much but maybe it would help her feel more at ease too.
As had happened in Magnolia a short time before, talk soon fled from the room. The boys withdrew into their own thoughts again as each one began to settle in for the night. It was still early for them of course and not one of them really felt that tired. Still, there wasn't much else for them to do.
There was no doubt in their minds that Splinter would be by soon. He always made nightly rounds of checking on the children before going to bed himself. It was a custom that had begun years before when the Turtles had been infants and might be in need of some unforeseen attention before they went to sleep. That had continued on with the boys well into their toddler stage and then with Magnolia when she was a baby.
These days, Splinter continued to make the rounds mostly out of habit and partially out of what he felt as necessity. Surely the children were old enough now that they were safe in their own slumber once initially settled in. But when he checked on them, it was more of a measure of how much he really cared about the children. To Splinter, that meant more than anything else and was what would probably remain a driving force long after the children had grown.
Just as the boys suspected, a few hours after having gone to bed Splinter did make his rounds. He started with being sure that the other room were empty of activity and then moved onto the room of his youngest. Watching Magnolia as she snuggled into the covers, clutching her favorite doll, completely oblivious to the rest of the world. Splinter smiled to himself for a moment before he left her to her dreams, already knowing that he'd probably be fixing that very doll within the next few days. Closing the door, he knew that such was just another duty of being a parent and one that he accepted along with the rest.
By the time he reached the boys' room, silence had finally taken its nightly hold. This wasn't a guarantee that they were all asleep, but it was a sign that they were all present and accounted for. As with Magnolia, he merely peered inside to be sure that no one was having any problems and then left them before he went to his own waiting bed.
A/N: Okay, another part down. Just, who knows how many to go. I hope that everyone enjoyed this and I promise that I'm already started on the next chapter. It should be out soon, but due to school and work, I can't make any exact due date. Later. :p
A/N: Yes, another chapter up and ready. Finally. Again, sorry for the delay. Just been really busy w/ the holidays and junk. I'm already starting on the next chapter and that should be out soon. Promise. Until then, thanks for the reviews and please enjoy. :p
An eerie silence had spread over the Lair and had remained that way for the passed hour. Normally at this time, the rooms would be filled with the excited chatter and laughter of the children. But now, there was a stillness that kept a firm grip over most things, with the exception of one.
In Splinter's study, the three boys that had been apprehended earlier were enduring one of the longest lectures that they had ever known. It had been going on for nearly an hour now and showed no signs of letting up. Much to the dismay of the youngsters, whose on feelings on the matter were in enough turmoil as it was.
Leo and Raph, the real culprits behind this accident, were the ones that felt the worst. The last thing that they ever wanted to do was to make their Master upset, especially over something as important to him as a memento of Hamato Yoshi. Though the boys had never met the man themselves, they had heard enough about him from Splinter to know that he had been very important in their Sensei's life and understand what Yoshi had meant to them when it came to their studies.
It was in his memory that Splinter had first begun to train the boys some years before. The rat's initial hopes were that one day, once they were old enough and had gained sufficient skill in their ninjitsu training, these four might be able to avenge Yoshi's death by finding and defeating Oroku Saki. If and when that happened was uncertain, but it was the driving force behind why he started teaching them and spoke of Yoshi so often to the boys and their sister.
His sons knew only the general idea of this scheme, since Splinter felt that young children should only be exposed to certain things when they were ready. At this point in their lives, though they at least had the same basic concept that most children had, he most certainly felt that they weren't ready to know what killing for revenge was. Even if that type of action was meant to avenge the wrongs done against another, in his eyes, they still needed a few years before having a complete understanding of such things.
For now, they were at least ready to accept responsibility for what they had done. That much Splinter would not keep them from. If anything, though he suspected that felt remorse over the loss of the memento, he still wanted them to understand the full consequences of one's actions concerning others.
There was no chance of that lesson not coming across to the boys. If anything, it was coming in loud and clear to them. That still didn't change the fact that each and every one of them would rather be anywhere but in the study right now.
That was definitely the thought that was running through Mikey's mind at the moment. He felt as bad as his brothers that that statuette had been broken, though not with the same intensity. Technically, he hadn't broken anything. He had only been present when it happened and was here mainly for that reason.
Still, he was wishing more than anything that he had been with Maggie and Don when this began. If he had, then he could be back in his sister's room drawing or something rather than getting into trouble. At least, part of him was assuming that Magnolia and Donatello were working on the drawings that had been in the kitchen with them.
This was really the really the farthest thing from the truth. Since leaving the others, the pardoned brother and sister had already forgotten their earlier activities and had become preoccupied with what was happening with their siblings and Sensei. As soon as they had reached the bedroom, they had dumped their pencils and drawings onto the bed before turning their attention to other things. Right now, Magnolia sat nearest to the door, one ear planted against the paneling while the other craned as best it could in the same direction. Other than a light twitch every now and then, she was completely motionless as she continued to concentrate on her task. Sitting on the floor next to her was Donatello, watching her as he had been ever since they had arrived.
"Well?" Donatello asked impatiently," Can you hear what's happening?"
Magnolia hissed in reply, motioning for her brother to be quiet. It was hard enough for her to hear without him making so much noise and she wanted as little distraction as possible. Donatello huffed a little but fell silent again, waiting for his sister to answer on her own.
Snorting once, Magnolia turned her attention back to the task at hand. Thanks to her sensitive ears, she could catch many small sounds and words that were normally missed by others. It was a trick that she had used multiple times in both games she and her brothers played and the training that Splinter gave them all. With this, she could guess which way someone was about to move and when to expect them and it was a skill that had served her well through the years.
This time however, that would not be the case. Due to the distance between Maggie's room and Splinter's study, no matter how hard she tried, the only sounds that she could hear were faint shufflings. Since she wasn't sure of the exact location of where these noises were coming from, she wasn't exactly sure what was causing them.
Still, that wasn't going to keep her from trying. If there was one thing that Magnolia liked, it was a challenge. And this one in particular, trying to understand what was happening to their siblings, was enough to keep her mind focused and her ears straining to the fullest.
Though neither one was certain how long they waited, Don and Maggie continued to listen as they had been doing. They knew that Splinter would eventually call them back in once he was done with the others and he felt that their presence would be appropriate. Still, the suspense of waiting was similar to the tension that their brothers felt in the study and both began to feel edgy.
Finally, the familiar old voice rang through the hallway," Donatello, Magnolia. Come join us please."
From the way the sound echoed, Maggie knew instantly that the call was coming from the dojo. This was the area where they had training and sparring sessions during the day and sometimes at night. It was decorated with old Japanese wall hangings that Splinter had either found buried in the trash or brought from Yoshi's old apartment.
Though he didn't have her acute sense of hearing, Donatello came to the same conclusion almost as quickly as his sister did. When she looked over her shoulder to tell him, he merely nodded and signaled that he knew where they needed to come.
Both of them assumed that Splinter was calling for what would probably be a late afternoon practice. Though after what had been going on today, neither Don nor Maggie was truly certain of what they should expect. So when they left the bedroom and headed out, the two silently agreed that it would be best for them to stay on their toes.
When they did arrive at the dojo, brother and sister entered into a rigid atmosphere of frustration and disappointment. Their brothers were seated in a line on separate mats near one another under the hangings of the right dojo wall. They were arranged in a way that there was one empty space between Raphael and Michaelangelo and then one after the latter. These spaces were reserved for the two who entered now; this was their place when it was time for the daily meditation sessions that were held toward the end of the day.
At the moment however, the type of meditation that was normally done was the farthest thing from the boys' minds. For them, the only thoughts that were occurring in their minds were the words Splinter had spoken to them and the punishment that they would suffer later. They were so intent on their thoughts that none of them even noticed when their two remaining siblings had entered the room.
Splinter on the other hand, knew the moment that they had come. He had been standing near the others when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw that Donnie and Maggie were standing just inside the doorway, both waiting nervously for what their Sensei had to say.
"Both of you take a seat on your mats, young ones. There will be no practice this afternoon," he instructed," Instead, I feel that we should all spend this time in meditation and reflect on what has happened today."
Knowing that now wouldn't be a good time to disobey or argue, the two reacted instantly. They took their seats, eyes looking up to their Sensei with the same uncertainty that had been there since they stood in the kitchen. Splinter spared them a brief glance but otherwise kept his gaze on the other three.
Still stinging from having endured a sterner gaze for the last hour, the three boys visibly nervous when Splinter's eyes fell upon them. None of them dared to look up, they could only sense that it was there. The gaze had actually eased a great from what it had been earlier, but each one still knew the emotions that lay behind it.
Once the children had settled down, Splinter took a seat as well. With practiced motion, he fell into the stance for meditation. It was one that he had entered countless times and one that was no trouble for him. The children each sighed inwardly and fell into a similar position of their Master, ready to remain so for at least the next hour.
Meditation was a skill that involved learning to clear one's mind and to order the thoughts of the day into an understandable pattern. It was something that meant several hours of practice and patience if it was to be successful. These were both articles that the children had started studying from a very early age. Though mediation had never been first among of the children's, including the prize student Leonard, favorite activities, it was one that was done at least once a day and that had become just as important as the practice sessions that often proceeded beforehand.
Of course, none of them were near the same skill level that Splinter had achieved. He could easily outlast any of his children and then some when they were in meditation. Which was why Splinter had taught his students to pace themselves, often doing these sessions in intervals that they could easily cope with and then increase these as time went on.
From Splinter's initial expression, it was easy for the children to assume that they would be doing the limit today. Inwardly, a collective silent groan passed through the younger generation as they resigned themselves to the task ahead. Whether they had been scolded or not, each one already knew better than to voice any complaints about the family meditation sessions. So turned inward and began the seemingly daunting task of 'reflection.'
Today, meditation would last for over an hour. For the children, even though they were supposed to understand the lesson behind this special meeting, it was still hard to prevent themselves from falling into their normal habits concerning this sort of trial. Before more than half an hour had passed, the usual cramps and itches had begun to set in, causing involuntary movement in one or more.
When Splinter finally decided to call a halt for the day, it was obvious even to him that innocent and accused alike were greatly relieved at being free to move again. Despite this, the children were still cautious in their movements around him and refrained from their usual chatter. Though he hid it well as he too rose to his feet and watched his youngsters, this pained Splinter in a way.
What he had said to his sons earlier, he was well aware of the penitence that they were feeling during that time. There was no doubt about that to him. In his heart, he had already forgiven the boys for what had happened. Splinter knew that they hadn't meant to break his treasure. It was an accident, plain and simple. There was no doubt about that. But that didn't mean that he was about to pardon them from the punishment that he had set down for them. That they would have deal with until it was completely and nothing would be changing this attitude.
Another, less subtle part of his mind soon alerted Splinter to the onset of another situation. It would soon be time for the evening meal and he still had yet to prepare. Meals always consisted of the scraps and pieces that Splinter had managed to gather through his forays to the surface world. It wasn't always the most satisfying in taste but it was at least enough to keep everyone fed and away from starvation.
Normally, the family ate just a short while after afternoon practice. In this way, the energy used during exercises was replenished and everyone would have enough for the early morning session before the next meal came. That was how things went here. There may not have always been a surplus, but at least there was always enough for everyone to have some kind of a share.
Unless he had the children helping him, Splinter usually put all the meals together himself. The stove that he had managed to find and get working again was still a dangerous piece of equipment and he wasn't about to risk anyone else getting hurt in its use. But when he did allow the children to aid him, it was usually to wash something off in their makeshift sink or to set the table.
Tonight, because of earlier events, Splinter decided that they would simply eat the leftovers from lunch and leave it at that. It would mean less work for him and everyone else and thus fewer causes of stress after an already hard afternoon.
Dinner was a quiet affair that night once it had been prepared, with no one really talking or looking at each other except through quick, furtive glances that the children gave one another. Splinter would occasionally cast a look of his own, but it was usually a neutral one that none of the others could easily decipher. These were usually gone as soon they appeared, but it was still enough to make the children feel nervous during the meal.
When they were done, everyone went about their normal chores of cleanup and dishwashing. This too was done in a fashion quite opposite of what it normally was. A nervous silence and the most anyone gave to another were a simple glance before going back to whatever had to be done.
Being older, the boys could usually enjoy a later bedtime than their sister did after all their evening chores were done. Usually after she had gone to bed, they spent the free time given to them by either playing a game or making plans for the next day. Tonight however, there would be none of that.
Though they still had some hours before their own bedtime, Leo, Raph, and Mike were sent to their room almost as soon as dinner cleanup was finished. Splinter gave no reason of course, but Don and Maggie both assumed that this was part of their brothers' punishment. If it was supposed to be the entire thing or merely part of it, neither one was sure.
Again spared from their unfortunate siblings' fate, the pair decided to go back to Maggie's room and finish the drawings that they had begun earlier. It wasn't like they really wanted to do these anymore though. If anything, they wanted to know what else had happened to the others and what Splinter had said to them.
Even so, that didn't mean that they were going to risk getting scolded by going to ask Splinter. Previous experience and sensing the present mood he was bound to be in at this point had taught them better than that. So for the time being, they were left waiting and wondering.
Do you think that they got spanked? Maggie asked her brother when he looked up from one of his drawings.
As usual, her words were not made the same way as the rest of family communicated. For her, worded speech was done with a series of hand gestures whose meaning was subtle and diverse. It was a system that had been worked out over many years with much practice and improvisation. For others, it took just as much in order to understand her words, which meant that only those closest to her would be able to know what was being said.
Donnie shrugged," I don't think so, Maggie. They wouldn't have been able to sit if that happened. Could you hand me that red pencil?"
Magnolia nodded in agreement with this, handing over the item in question. "They probably got something else," Donnie continued," Master Splinter probably grounded them or something. That's why he sent them to our room early."
Neither one really said much after that, except when Donnie asked for a certain pencil or an eraser. The plans drawn didn't really make much in the way of progress but it was still something to do until Splinter came in and said it was time for Maggie to go to bed. When he did, that would be the signal for Don to take his own things and leave for his own room.
Around 7:30, that was just the case. With his usual silent demeanor, Splinter entered the room with a single knock that alerted the children to his presence. They looked up at him with less apprehension than they had earlier but with still enough visible in their eyes to cause Splinter to stop for a moment to speak with them before sending Don out.
"I can see that you're both worried about your brothers," he said as he picked up Magnolia from the floor.
"Kinda Master," Donnie admitted, gathering up his pencils and papers.
Setting Magnolia on her bed, an old bench that had been fixed up pillows and blankets, Splinter replied gently," There's nothing to worry about, young ones. I know that you care for them, but it isn't something you should concern yourselves with. Understand?"
These words were simply meant to ease the minds of his two remaining children, at least that had been the intent. Though Maggie and Don nodded in response to Splinter's comment, it couldn't erase everything bit of worry that still hung in their minds. There was no way to accomplish that.
"Go on to your room, Donatello," Splinter urged," Your sister needs her rest. I will be in to see you and your brothers late."
"Yes sir. Good night Master," Donatello nodded," Good night, Maggie."
He caught a hand gesture and a nod from his sister before leaving the room. Naturally, Don knew that this was Maggie's way of saying good night and gave it no more thought than usual. From her room, he went to the one that he shared with his brothers.
Because it had four occupants rather than one, this bedroom was the largest of the family. Once it had been two separate chambers with only a crumbling wall to divide them. This had long since been removed by Splinter who had taken the bricks and put these to other use.
Now it held the two old bunkbeds that served as the boys' sleeping arrangement and their belongings. Compared to that of human children, the room was a bit scant in the way of things. Most of the belongings consisted of old books and toys kept in boxes the boys' kept under the lower half of their bunks.
There were also some old posters, mostly of human baseball players and alien monsters, which were plastered to the walls. These, like nearly everything else in the Lair, had been abandoned by previous owners to the garbage before being found by Splinter. When he did, these were used as gifts or rewards for the boys when something had been accomplished or on a birthday.
Donatello himself, who had the lower bunk in the below Leonardo's, had a particular favorite in the one he had gotten last Christmas. It was that of a spaceship, complete with alien passengers, landing near a town with humans coming to greet them. Secretly, he thought that someday that he and his family might be able to greet humans as they did in the picture. Though instinctively, he already knew that that sort of day was in the distant future and not likely to come soon.
He entered the shared bedroom, located just off the living down the hall from Splinter's study, a few moments afterward. By the time he did, he could see that his brothers were already in their own beds, keeping to themselves. None of them really noticed him when he entered and set his things under the bed until the next day.
This in itself was a bit unusual, since Donnie had thought at least Leo and Raph to be at each other's throats. There was no way that they could go without yelling at one another for more than five seconds, especially after both had gotten in trouble. Normally when that happened, not even a threat from Splinter could get them to calm down.
Maybe they just think that Splinter'll punish them more if he catches them arguing, Donnie thought.
Still it was a bit unsettling for him to have everything so quiet. Usually before going to bed, the boys would stay up and talk about something, regardless of what it was. When they did, it was usually over some boyish hobby that they had begun or what had gone on during the day. Again, tonight was different from what usually went on.
Tonight there really didn't seem to be any chance of that happening. Most of the boys were in sullen moods and were more withdrawn than they would normally be. And the one brother who wasn't in such a mood knew that it wouldn't be easy to get his siblings to break their silence very easily. Still, in Donatello's case, he had been wondering all this time what punishment his brothers had received that he just had to know.
"How long are you guys in for?" Donatello asked when his curiosity finally succeeded getting the better of him.
As soon as the words had left him, Raphael pounced on his brother with a response. All this time, he had been forced to control his frustration and that had been steadily building to a boiling point that was unusual even for Raph. So when the first opportunity presented itself, he acted upon it immediately.
"None of your business, ya egghead," Raphael grumbled irritably," No one ever said we were gonna tell ya, so keep your big beak out of it."
Understandably, Donnie was used to his brother's outbursts but took offense nonetheless. His reaction was nearly as swift as Raphael's had been, even though there was not as much anger behind it. For him, there was more annoyance than anything else but it was still enough.
"What are you getting mad at me for?" he demanded," I'm not the one who broke the statue, you guys did. You got a problem, then it's your own fault, Raphael. I was just asking you a question."
For once, that was certainly enough to catch even Raphael off guard. Normally, one didn't expect that sort of retaliation from Donatello. He was the quiet son who usually took the words of others and either ignored them or reasoned them out while another would continue to rant. So when he snapped back at his brother, it was nothing short of a shock and it took Raph more than a few seconds to recover.
By the time that he had sufficiently recovered to respond, Donnie had already turned his attention to one of the others for an answer. He had experienced Raph's outbursts before and had dealt with them in one of two ways: either arguing with him or by simply ignoring him. Either one worked to some extent once Raphael realized what his brother was doing and finally backed off.
This time, Donnie signaled his change in attitude by addressing Leo instead. Again, if had been under other circumstances, Raphael might have voiced some kind of protest. But again, he held himself in check, lest Splinter come in and they all get into more trouble than before.
"So what did Sensei say to you guys about the statue, Leo?" Donnie replied to his eldest brother.
Like Raphael, Leo wasn't exactly in the mood to discuss what had been said to them earlier. For him, it was an embarrassment that he would rather live through in silence than speak of. Even so, part of him was willing to communicate with his younger sibling. After all, he would be curious too if this had happened to Donatello instead of him.
"Master Splinter said that we're grounded for two weeks and that we're gonna have extra practice for that time too," Leonardo answered.
"All of you?" Donnie asked.
"No, just me and Raph," his brother replied solemnly," Sensei said that since he didn't do anything, Mikey's not gonna get punished. He just had to listen to the lecture since he was there when it happened and that was his warning for the future."
Donatello nodded silently, considering what he had just been told. He was actually a bit surprised at the outcome of this, considering how Master Splinter usually meted out punishment. Depending on the crime, their Sensei could actually be quite harsh at times with the consequences. Knowing that his brothers had only gotten a lecture and a grounding period of two weeks after breaking something so important to Splinter, Donatello could tell that they had gotten off easy.
He didn't say so of course. His brothers were more than likely already aware of their situation and didn't need to be reminded. Instead, he simply satisfied himself that now he knew what was happening and that in the morning he could tell Maggie. It wasn't much but maybe it would help her feel more at ease too.
As had happened in Magnolia a short time before, talk soon fled from the room. The boys withdrew into their own thoughts again as each one began to settle in for the night. It was still early for them of course and not one of them really felt that tired. Still, there wasn't much else for them to do.
There was no doubt in their minds that Splinter would be by soon. He always made nightly rounds of checking on the children before going to bed himself. It was a custom that had begun years before when the Turtles had been infants and might be in need of some unforeseen attention before they went to sleep. That had continued on with the boys well into their toddler stage and then with Magnolia when she was a baby.
These days, Splinter continued to make the rounds mostly out of habit and partially out of what he felt as necessity. Surely the children were old enough now that they were safe in their own slumber once initially settled in. But when he checked on them, it was more of a measure of how much he really cared about the children. To Splinter, that meant more than anything else and was what would probably remain a driving force long after the children had grown.
Just as the boys suspected, a few hours after having gone to bed Splinter did make his rounds. He started with being sure that the other room were empty of activity and then moved onto the room of his youngest. Watching Magnolia as she snuggled into the covers, clutching her favorite doll, completely oblivious to the rest of the world. Splinter smiled to himself for a moment before he left her to her dreams, already knowing that he'd probably be fixing that very doll within the next few days. Closing the door, he knew that such was just another duty of being a parent and one that he accepted along with the rest.
By the time he reached the boys' room, silence had finally taken its nightly hold. This wasn't a guarantee that they were all asleep, but it was a sign that they were all present and accounted for. As with Magnolia, he merely peered inside to be sure that no one was having any problems and then left them before he went to his own waiting bed.
A/N: Okay, another part down. Just, who knows how many to go. I hope that everyone enjoyed this and I promise that I'm already started on the next chapter. It should be out soon, but due to school and work, I can't make any exact due date. Later. :p
