The journey to the lair was slow and painful. After retreating into the shadows the turtles kept watch as their sensei meditated and tried to regain his strength. Luckily after the gang had left, the alleyway seemed abandoned. Even though the turtles were worried, they didn't interrupt as Splinter meditated. Raphael twitched nervously. He glanced at his sensei. He had never seen Splinter show any kind of weakness before. Whatever it was with their master, it had to be bad. Raphael looked over at Michelangelo. Usually the most easy-going of the bunch, Mikey was staring at Splinter worry clear on his face. As he shifted his weight Splinter opened his eyes. "Let us go, my sons. The sun will be rising soon. We have to get down." Leonardo extended his hand, which Splinter took with a slight bow of gratitude.
Their usual brisk pace had been reduced to a crawl. Donatello moved in front with Mike and Raphael bringing up the rear. Leo nearly tripped over bits of trash, so intently was he watching Splinter. The rat seemed better, but asked politely to stop several times to catch his breath. After what seemed like an eternity they arrived at the right manhole. Splinter had recovered to almost his old self and they made much better time to their lair.
As the turtles took off their disguises, they kept eyeing each other and Splinter nervously. Splinter hung up his robe and leaned his can against the wall. "I shall forgo this evening's practice. I believe we all had a sufficient workout back there. Now if you'll excuse me. I shall go get some much-needed rest. Oyasuminasai, my sons."
Well aware of the four pairs of eyes watching him, Splinter retired to his room. As he closed his door, he finally allowed his true state of mind to show through. He was exhausted! And after what? A half an hour fight? That should only have been a warm up for him! Raising his eyes from the floor he focused onto some of the Japanese words in old Japanese that he had painted onto his walls. They were sayings of wisdom. Sayings that he often quoted to his sons and to himself as well. Usually they brought him peace, yet this eve the power of meditation slipped from him. He had settled down into a lotus position. But he couldn't… Leaning forward, Splinter closed his eyes as a wave of fatigue swept over him. He curled up to sleep. He was tired… so tired.
Careful not to make too much noise and disturb their master, the four turtles gathered around the kitchen table. Mikey got out a frozen pizza and popped it into the microwave. Donnie noted absently that their microwave was making much more of a racket then usual. He made a mental note to check up on it later. "What happened today with Master Splinter?" Raphael's question was directed at no one in particular. Leo shifted in his chair and glanced back at the door to their sensei's sanctum. "I don't know Ralph. It almost seemed as if he just aged years in just minutes. Those dudes we fought were no pros, even though there were many of them, it shouldn't have winded Master Splinter that much." The micro sounded and Mike passed slices of pizza around. While others began to scarf theirs down, Leonardo merely glanced at his. Splinter hardly ever cancelled practice. Even if they didn't practice the moves of Ninjitsu they would usually meditate together. Now, Splinter had only cancelled and left for his own solitude. Leo diffidently did not have a good feeling about this at all.
~ The next morning ~
As always Leo was the first of the team to get up. He looked forward to his customary morning tee with his sensei. Ever since he was little, Leo had always been the only one up as early as Splinter. He finished tying on his bandana just as he crossed the threshold into their kitchen. Leo stopped. For the first time that he could remember the sweet fragrance of Japanese tee and his sensei's gentle words of good morning didn't greet him. Splinter wasn't up. Leo glanced at the clock on the wall. 5:30 am. Fear laced through him and he made his way to Splinter's door. He fought a small battle with himself and finally knocked on the door. He received no answer. Swallowing a lump in his through Leo slowly pushed the door open. He found Splinter curled up where he had kneeled last night. He had not even made it to his bed! Leo rushed inside his sensei's sacred place where -normally- none of the turtles went uninvited. Kneeling to his master's side Leo gently touched the elder rat. Splinter's reaction was lighting swift. Years of training kicked in, as Splinter threw Leonardo over him. With a startled yelp, Leo landed midst Splinter's collection of candles.
Within seconds Splinter realized what he had done. His instinctive self-preservation had kicked in and when he had felt someone touch him while he was asleep he had reacted accordingly. Now with horror he realized that it had only been Leonardo. His second realization was, that he himself seemed to be on the floor. But that was unimportant. Scrambling to his feet, Splinter hurried over to where Leonardo had fallen. The turtle was still dazed and Splinter realized that he must have used one of the more powerful throws. Kneeling next to his son, Splinter fought down a spell of dizziness, "Leonardo. Are you all right? I am so sorry, my son. But what are you doing here? Why wake me in such a matter?" Leo shook his head and allowed Splinter to help him to his feet. "When you didn't show up for morning tee, sensei. I got worried. I did knock but when you didn't answer, I came in and found you on the floor and…" Splinter looked back to where he had been sleeping. Vaguely he remembered the fight last night, the fatigue. Splinter gazed up at the wall and was very surprised to find the time 5:40 am. He had over-slept! Leonardo was right. Splinter looked back to his eldest son and could almost feel the waves of concern radiating from the turtle. "I am sorry I reacted as I did. There was no point in doing so. Leonardo, would you be so good, as to brew the tee this morning. I shall be there shortly." Not taking his eyes off of Splinter, Leonardo responded with an automatic, "Yes sensei." He nearly bumped into the doorframe heading out. And his feeling of impending doom deepened.
