"Run Michaelangelo!" Raphael yelled and vaulted over the couch running.
Michaelangelo jumped up from the couch and ran fast. He half heard footsteps pounding behind him and he picked up the pace. As fast as his eight year old legs could carry him. Leonardo was just behind him and he could only hope Donnie was safe in his make shift laboratory.
Mike could almost sense the danger. For the past three years, his sensei had been teaching him and his brothers how to be aware of danger without actually seeing it. Often times, he made light of the lessons by being the class clown. The training was so boring and repetitive, he just couldn't see the point to it.
Now, those lessons were serving him well. Just as Splinter always said they would. There was danger in the lair and he had to hide. He ran into his bedroom and dove under the bed. Trying to quiet his breathing, Mike listened. His brothers had been right behind him. Had they been caught? He listened more closely and could just make out shouting.
Raphael?
Mike bit his lip. Raph must've been caught. Michaelangelo closed his eyes and willed himself to be quiet. He couldn't afford to be heard right now.
Ninjutsu is the art of invisibility. It requires stealth. Silence.
His master's half heard lectures came to mind. Master Splinter always seemed to look straight at Mike when discussing the concept of silence and usually Mike responded with a sweet innocent smile. He could be silent if he wanted. He just never wanted to. Until now.
A small cough tickled the back of his throat and Mikey froze.
No, no. I can't cough. Not now.
The small boy rubbed at his throat trying to get rid of the tickle. He remembered so many times during the endless meditation sessions that he would get the same tickle. He would try to fight it then too, but usually just gave into it. Of course, afterwards, he would have to listen to another lecture from sensei.
You are ninja. Ninja control their bodies. Physically and mentally.
Once, Mike responded with a paraphrase of an old saying. If you gotta cough, you gotta cough. Splinter didn't laugh like Mike hoped he would. Instead, he had to do another twenty minutes of meditation.
The tickle past without him giving in and the turtle listened closely again. He sniffed silently. He didn't want to be the only one left.
Master. Where are you?
He heard footsteps entering the room and he cringed. It had been years since he could turtle his whole body into his shell, but he tried nevertheless.
Your domain is the shadow. Stray from it reluctantly…
Mike tried to hide in the shadows under his bed. His domain. He was ninja. If he was the only one destined to escape, then so be it. If he could find a way, he would try to help his family escape.
He heard Raphael still trying to struggle, but it seemed like the fight was going out of him. Maybe Leo and Donnie had escaped too…or maybe they went willingly.
Splinter…where are you?
There was a frustrated sounding sigh from the doorway and Mike froze again. "Michaelangelo, I know you are in here. As much as I appreciate you practicing your ninjutsu skills, I have told you far too many times… I do not want to play these ridiculous games when it is bath time."
((Come on…tell me I fooled someone…..Please…)))