Morning, Day One: Anger Clouds The Mind

Note: I just want to apologize for taking so long to update. My only internet access is at school, which had been cancelled Wed through to Monday. But I'm back now! Also, I tried really, really hard in this chapter not to mess with the canon character too much. So if he doesn't seem right, I'm sorry.

~*~

Groaning, Leo watched the minutes go by on his clock. Knowing that he was suppose to be up in fifteen minutes for training, but honestly wishing he didn't. Despite what his brothers thought of him, he really didn't care for being up so early. But he knew it was his duty and thus, did it every morning without complaint,

5:49

5: 50

With a sigh he threw aside the covers, grabbing his katana straps and putting them on, he fastened them to his belt. Going to the kitchen he pulled out a tin and poured fresh coffee into the perk to brew. Locating two clean mugs from the counter top he leaned against the cupboard folding his arms over his plastron. Donatello was the next on to arrive. That turtle probably smelled the coffee from his lab the moment I opened the container. Moving the pot aside, Donatello let the stream of black caffeine pour into his cup before putting the pot back into place, and seated himself at the table, avidly staring at a hole in the tablecloth.

"I don't think it's working."

Startled, Don finally looked up, "What?"

"That hole you're trying to burn in the table, it's not working."

Not smiling he averted his gaze, this time focusing on the ugly blue flower pattern on the mug.

"Hey, about last night. I'm sorry I didn't m-"

"Leave it, just drop it already."

Shocked by the harsh tone in the more genteel of his brothers' voice he decided to try a different approach.

"Have you thought about telling her?" When all he got was silence he pressed on. "I mean, you never know she might feel the same way. Maybe-"

At that moment Donatello jumped up angrily, knocking his mug to the floor where it shattered. He was trembling with rage as he spoke.

"Yeah, and maybe with a little luck I can get Charlie to call me daddy! Jesus Christ Leo, can't you take the hint? I. Don't. Want. To. Talk. About it!" He spat, turning to leave for the dojo.

"Man, this is the second time in a row! That's it. That's the last time I show up on time. What happened?"

Leo tore his gaze away from the door to look at Raphael who was shocked, to say the least.

"We had a few words, that's all."

"Looks like it was more than a few," Raph looked at the smashed mug on the floor, then back to Leo. "I've never seen Donnie this pissed since Mikey tried to install Half -Life on his computer and accidentally wiped it clean."

"Mmm, what's all the shoutin' about?"

Stepping aside Raphael let a still sleeping Rowan in. Yawning she gratefully took the cup of coffee Leo offered her, being cautious to sidestep the broken mess on the floor.

"What happened? I thought you ninjas were suppose to be quiet and graceful?"

"Uh, Donnie accidentally dropped it when he spilled some coffee on himself."

The glare from behind Rowan directed at Leo told him exactly how much Raphael believed that story, but he kept silent. Whether or not Rowan believed the story he wasn't sure, but she seemed to accept it without argument.

"The world is ending."

All three turned to look at a scared Michaelangelo.

"Donnie's already training, but he's actin' like Raph. Raph is actually here on time, and in the same room as Leo without starting a fight, and Leo hasn't ordered us to start training yet! The world is ending, what's next?"

"Splinter to dress in drag and do the hula?"

Three shocked males looked at Rowan before cracking up.

"I am more partial to the Fox Trot myself."

The laughter quickly died as they looked at a slightly smiling Splinter.

"Good morning Sensei. Shall we get started?"

Instead of answering, he simply looked down at the broken porcelain at his feet. Realizing what he meant, Leo quickly grabbed a dustpan and some paper towel, kneeling down to clean up the mess. Grabbing the paper towel from him Rowan crouched down to help sop up the coffee.

Once everything was cleaned up Splinter nodded a thank you and led them to the dojo where Donatello was already. Fully absorbed in doing his katas. His moves were sloppy though, and jerky like that that of someone who had witnessed the moves before but only now was trying to do them.

"Donatello."

Grinding to a halt, Donatello stood in front of his master, the hostility draining from his body as quickly as it had appeared, leaving a calming sensation as the endorphins spread throughout his bloodstream. Maybe that's why Raph likes fighting so much. It's such a rush. And at that moment he envied his brothers. He envied Raphaels no - bullshit attitude, he envied Leonardo's ability at restraint, at how suddenly obvious it was that he was their fathers favorite. And he was jealous at how Mikey could always turn something into a joke, how he could always make Rowan laugh. But most of all, he suddenly found himself hating Leo for confiding in him earlier about his gift to Rowan.

"Yes master?"

"What is wrong my son?"

Should he say? Should he say what he's feeling? He looked at them, at the knowing and pitying look Leo was giving him, at the solemn face of Raphael who would no doubt razz him about it if he knew, at Mikey whose innocent face showed nothing but concern for his older brother. And finally, at Rowan, who was watching him intently with her wide hazel eyes that suddenly seemed more golden than brown to him. At how she bit into her bottom lip with worry, and he shook his head.

"Nothing is wrong sensei, my hard drive crashed this morning, and I haven't been able to recover anything." He hated lying, but he hated the truth even more.

Splinter nodded, knowing that it was a lie, but not wanting to upset his son further by interrogating him. Clapping his hands to end the discussion, the others took their position as training commenced. A thought occurred to Rowan as she watched the intricate maneuvers.

This is gonna take a while.

TBC

~*~

Reviews

Rene : I think any relations that might be forming will slowly start to form, despite what you might have read in this chapter. I want this story to last much longer. As for the mistletoe.man, I think I experienced that over the snow days!

Ramica: Jake will indeed be a formidable opponent, as they say. As for the turtles and trying to find out who 'gets' Rowan. Well, four eighteen year olds, never had a girlfriend, and she does have a son In my experience, there's not a lot of men willing to take on that challenge, so we'll have to wait and see ^_~.

Pretender Fanatic : For some strange reason, I can't seem to end a chapter any other wayIt's a nasty habit that I really should breakAnd updates won't happen every other day as they have been because I have no more stored chapterswhich means after this, everything you read is brand spankin' new.