Chapter 5: Life's Going To Change.

"Ok, ok. I think I've got it right this time. So you're Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and Donatello?" Saringai guessed, pointing to each of the cubs in turn. He ate another bit of meat off his plate. He felt unusual, lying on the floor. He usually sat at the table to eat his meals but couldn't today, because he felt it was bad manners to be the only one sitting at the table as the cubs naturally sat on the floor. Tables and chairs were a new thing for them.

Michelangelo and Donatello giggled. "I'm Michelangelo and he's Donatello", Michelangelo corrected.

"Ok, so you're Donatello and you're Michelangelo?" Saringai tried again, pointing to Michelangelo then Donatello. The two cubs laughed. "You're identical twins aren't you?" Saringai asked. They both nodded. "Ah, no wonder I can't get it right!" The two little cheetahs grinned. "So I guess you two would want to be in the same room then?" Saringai suggested.

"Room?" All the cubs said at the same time. Saringai pointed to the two wooden bridges that exited from the tree they were currently in.

"There are two bedrooms. Two to each room. As for me, I am quite comfortable sleeping on one of this tree's branches. So, you two, Michelangelo and Donatello, will be sleeping in the bedroom on the left while Raphael and Leonardo will have to share the other bedroom. That ok?" The cubs nodded in agreement.

Leonardo yawned. "Can we see our new bedrooms?"

"Yeah, sure you can. Have you had enough to eat?" Saringai questioned. Their little furry heads nodded in reply. Saringai collected their plates and put them up on the table. He then walked over the wooden bridge to Michelangelo and Donatello's new room, making sure the cubs followed.

The little wooden planked bridge connected the large tree they were just in, to the tree next door. Just as before, Saringai pulled on a vine to lift up a part of the trunk allowing them to go into Michelangelo and Donatello's new bedroom. They walked onto a new platform that was well hidden amongst the tree branches. The area was considerably smaller than the main/dining room they were just in. A rather large, wooden, soft white bed lay against the left wall. A second bed lay against the wall opposite to the first. The beds were too high for the cubs to climb in themselves, so Saringai gently placed them on top of the mattress and tucked them in. Michelangelo was in the left bed while Donatello was in the right.

Saringai then took Leonardo and Raphael back into the dining room before going across the other wooden bridge that was connected. Here they went across to another neighbouring tree. Leonardo and Raphael's bedroom was very similar to that of their brother's. Saringai tucked Raphael into the left bed and Leonardo into the right one. Saringai said his goodnights before leaving his new students to sleep after experiencing a day that they will surely remember forever.

*****

Four male cheetah cubs stared upwards at their mentor. "Ok, today we will be learning English", Saringai announced to the expressionless fluff balls.

"Ing Lish?" the cubs said uncertainly.

"Yes, English. It is very important, as it is the international language for Intelligent Mutations", Saringai assured them. The boys looked at each other.

"Mutations?"

Saringai sighed. He figured that he might as well try to explain it to them now. Saringai sat cross-legged on the floor and looked the boys straight in the eye. He thought for a little while, before beginning to explain. "A mutant is a living thing which has undergone a change of some sort. The change is usually genetic but mutations can also be created from chemicals and radiation". Saringai took a deep breath. "Yesterday, when you were covered with the orange 'stuff', that caused you to change into what you are now… mutants".

The cubs gasped. They each held a shocked expression on their face. Donatello was the first to speak. "S… so we're mutants?" Saringai nodded in response.

"The next few weeks may be very weird and frightening for you. There could be some rapid changes to your body that may… freak you out a bit. Just always remember that you're not alone. You have each other and you have me. You're welcome to talk to me about anything", Saringai said reassuringly. The cubs nodded slowly, still realising the enormity of it all.

Saringai stood up and continued the lesson. "Now, English is made up of words which are made up of letters. These letters are put into a sequence called the Alphabet. The first letter of the alphabet is the letter 'A'. Repeat after me, 'A'". The cubs tried to make the sound 'A' but could only make meows, squeaks and chirping noises. "A", Saringai said the vowel again.

"Hey!" Leonardo said in English. Saringai applauded him.

"Very good Leonardo, just try to drop that 'H' sound".

"Ay!" Raphael said. Saringai just smiled and shook his head. This was going to be a very, very long day.