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Day by Day
By Ziptango
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more, day by day
You tell me of the future that you planned;
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for awhile
And afterwards remember, do not grieve;
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of thoughts that once I had
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than you should remember and be sad.
by Christina Rossetti
A hint of salmon-pink softly highlighted the dark, lolling hills in the distance. Gradually it seeped higher and seemed to spill across the dim blue sky with rosy fingers.
A large rat sat in quiet contentment among the tall reeds. At his feet, a fat creek sidled along lazily while mirroring the softening colors overhead. With the increasing warmth all around, his frosted gray-brown fur bristled in the freshness catching the newborn sun rays. The ground directly beneath him was also cool and pleasant.
With calming strokes, he stirred the water on the bank with his walking stick. The hues swirled together like a puddle of melted sherbet ice-cream in the ripples. His eyes, however, remained forward and locked in a reverie as if gazing into the life of all things.
Suddenly, a rock skimmed across the surface of the water with choppy splashes. On the opposite bank, the reeds parted and a mutant turtle flashed a Cheshire grin.
"Morning Sensei!" the animated voice echoed loudly.
"Good morning, Michaelangelo." Splinter allowed a tiny but genuine smile to tug at the corners of his mouth.
"Wow, it's really nice out here." Mike puffed his chest out and exhaled dramatically.
"It is," Splinter dipped his chin. Although he was mildly surprised, he didn't show it.
In the pursuing silence, he waited for his son to reveal the purpose of this interruption. He didn't mind necessarily, but it was certainly a rare occurrence when the most boisterous of his sons sought him out this far from the farm house. He may have expected Leonardo, but this was peculiar indeed.
Mike turned in circles admiring scenery, oblivious the rat's patient stare.
"What is it you need, my son?"
"Oh," Michaelangelo stopped and turn to him in awkward embarrassment, "We...uh...that is April..was wondering if you'd join us for breakfast today."
He pondered this for a moment. Everyone knew he only preferred herbal tea in the morning. In that case, Mike's request was almost absurd. He could hardly remember the last time he had had a solid breakfast.
Mike shuffled uncomfortably while wondering to himself how weird this must appear.
"Very well," Splinter stood and brushed himself off.
"Are you sure? It'll be- wait? What?" Mike looked at him with disbelief.
"I will accompany you."
"You will?" another infectious grin spread on Mike's face.
"I wouldn't want to disappoint my hosts," Splinter smiled back. With amazing agility, the rat took a flying leap and landed neatly on other side of the creek.
"Right!" Mike said deviously.
Splinter continued forward, using his cane to split the tall grasses. His son fell into step beside him, and seemed to gloat in a personal triumph silently. Even that was odd, in that anything involving Michaelangelo was rarely quiet.
All things considered, he had no doubt this unusual invitation might have something to do with his birthday being today. But just this once, he'd take the cheese. Splinter suppressed a smile. He made a funny.
"Aw, common Raph. Wear it just this once?" Leonardo coaxed.
"No!" Raphael glared.
"It's just a birthday hat."
"It's a paper ice-cream cone with stupid decorations. N. O."
"Well, would you prefer the one with pompons?" Donatello joined in.
Raphael snapped his fist out and clipped Don on the shoulder.
Donatello immediately stopped laughing and clutched his dead arm to suppress the waves of pain. "Owowowowow."
"We're all wearing them. You won't look any less goofy then us," Leonardo said.
"If I had any lips, I'd tell ya' to read 'em. NO!"
"For Splinter then?"
Raph hesitated. He let out a torturous groan and snatched the dorky hat from Leo. "Just until he gets here. Got that?"
"Got it," Leo smiled.
Glowering, Raphael stretched the band out wide and slipped it under his chin while the hat sat crookedly on his head. Then, as if on cue, Casey Jones waltzed in. April was right behind him carrying an armful of decorations.
"Yo, Raph! Lookin' good!"
April giggled, "It's cute!"
Raphael's face became as red as his mask. Whether from embarrassment or anger, no one could tell.
Casey idled up and quick as lightning grabbed the stretchy band and let go. The thin snap against skin, left Raphael stunned with watery eyes. Everyone nearly doubled over laughing.
Suddenly, there was a monstrous howl and thump as Raphael bowled Casey over. They wrestled across the room taking several decorations down with them.
"I think Raphael's feeling a little violent this morning," Don watched and rubbed his sore shoulder.
April groaned in reply. "Quit it! We don't have time for this!"
Raph and Casey didn't seem to hear.
"Argh! It's like I'm in a huge stewpot of testosterone!" she said through clenched teeth. Hands on hips, she marched up to them and gave Casey a kick in the side when the first opportunity presented itself.
"Yow!"
The two finally parted to blink at her. Casey lifted his hands in mock surrender. Raphael followed suite.
"Get back t-"
Suddenly, Mike's voice could be heard from outside.
"Oh my God!" April gasped, "Quick! Fix those decorations and get the cake lit!"
Everyone scrambled away. Leo fixed a fallen streamer, April tossed some confetti on the floor, Raphael blew up a few more balloons (and got very lightheaded in the process), Casey torched forty candles on the cake, and Donatello flipped the breaker. All electronics immediately dimmed out as everyone claimed a hiding spot.
"Bacon, eggs, toast, waffles, sausage, pancakes, hot syrup, French toast, fruit, eggs....did I mention eggs?"
"You did." Splinter followed along listening to Michaelangelo's constant babble.
"Yeah, anyway, it's gonna be the breakfast of the century! I helped, of course."
Not quite catching Mikey's enthusiasm, Splinter said nothing as they crossed the yard. Mike's volume suddenly increased a notch.
"So! Here we are! Home sweet home!"
Splinter thought he heard some fumbling and shushing behind the closed door as they approached. Mike twisted the doorknob abnormally slow. Swinging it open, he made quick scan that did not go unnoticed by his Sensei. He then opened it wider and offered Splinter the first entrance. The old rat nodded his thanks and stepped in. It was dark and quiet. Too quiet...
"SURPRISE!"
The lights powered up, and everyone leapt out with cheesy grins.
Splinter gave a raspy chuckle, laughing more and at how predictable they were rather then this turn of events.
They all burst out into song as Casey came into the room carrying a blazing birthday cake.
"Happy birthday tooooo yooooouuuu!" the voices dipped low.
Mike gave a bold, opera finish, "And many mooooooore!"
The cake was directly in front of him now, and all eyes were on him in anticipation. With a gentle heave, the flames flickered but did not blow out. Suddenly, he broke into violent coughs. All grins transformed into frowns. Feeling lightheaded, he started to slump and sink to the ground. Donatello and Leonardo caught him and guided his body the rest of the way to the floor.
"Get him a glass of water Mike," Don ordered.
"I'm s-sorry," Splinter gasped out between gulps for air.
"Shh, don't talk," Leo held him.
Mike returned shortly with the water. Leonardo took the glass in one hand and placed the other in the small of Splinter's back. Gently, he lifted him to accept it with Don supporting his side. Leo guided the liquid to his mouth just barely tipping it to allow a small trickle. Splinter tensed but relaxed as it slid down his throat while easing the grinding pains.
April clutched Casey looking rather pale. Casey, in turn, looked on in concern while nearly forgetting about the cake in his arms. The candles melted away to stubs and streams of wax ruined the frosting before he finally remembered to blow them out.
Raphael stood off to the side as well with a withdrawn and worried stare. The future of this party was looking pretty bleak.
The liquid had helped subdue the rasping, but Don noted his master's chest pumping unusually fast and shallow. Using his thumb, he smoothed the water that had escaped around the fur on Splinter's muzzle. Then together, he and Leo lowered him back to the floor.
"Let's get him into a bed," Leo turned to Raph.
Don stepped back and allowed Raphael to take his place on Splinter's right. They lifted him from under the armpits and helped him the nearest bed, which happened to be Mike's. Michaelangelo cleared the way for them, shoving piles of comic books aside and other belongings lying in the way.
"Thank you," was all Splinter could manage as they eased him onto the mattress.
As Don started toward the bedroom behind them, April suddenly caught his arm. He turned and felt a pang of sorrow seeing her tears.
"He-he's feeling better now, isn't he?"
"Yeah. He'll be okay," Don reached up and smudged a tear from her cheek. She gave him a hug and followed Casey to the room.
Donatello watched them leave and inspected his hand when they disappeared. There was a tiny amount of blood smeared across his palm. His sharp eye had spotted the small, dark pool matting in the corner of Splinter's mouth. He didn't think any one else had noticed, and he wasn't about to tell them before he could look into what it meant. Don would hold their pain and worry for them and keep the bad news, if any, for now.